NFF says Aribo not invited for Algeria friendly to enable him settle in at Southampton

NIGERIAN Football Federation (NFF) officials have revealed that Southampton midfielder Joe Aribo is nor in the current Super Eagles squad to face Algeria next week to enable him settle into his new club in England.

Aribo, 26, joined Southampton from Glasgow Rangers during the summer and has since emerged as one of their best players. Over the weekend, Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro published a 25-man squad that will prosecute a friendly against Algeria in the coastal city of Oran on September 27, with Aribo as a surprise absentee.

One team official said: “The coach Jose Peseiro wants to test some other players in the central midfield position and that’s why Raphael Onyedika was invited. Also, Aribo's exclusion is to help him settle in well at his new club although there are some personal issues he wants to sort out.”

Meanwhile, Mr Peseiro has handed late call-ups to Godwin Saviour and Ebube Duru for the Algeria friendly due to injuries to Ahmed Musa, Samuel Chukwueze and Emmanuel Dennis. However, Dennis, who was invited as a replacement Henry Onyekuru will now miss the game as he has turned down the invitation.

It is believed Dennis turned down the invitation as he was unhappy about not being on the initial list. However, striker Saviour, who plays for Portuguese club Casa Pia is expected in camp, as is left fullback Duru, who plays for Nigeria Professional Football League champions Rivers United.

So far, at least 18 players have arrived in camp, with Hajduk Split defender Chidozie Awaziem, being the first to arrive on Monday. Nigeria will play Algeria at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium, Oran on Tuesday, September 27 and then have another friendly lined up for next month against Portugal.