Akwa United of Uyo defender, Ndifreke Effiong has taken the number of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) players in the Super Eagles’ list for upcoming matches to four, following his invitation in place of AS Torino of Italy full back, Ola Aina over this past weekend.
Although controversy surrounds Aina’s sudden withdrawal, haven played all 90 minutes with his club before getting a red card in Serie A action at the weekend, as his side lost 3-2 at home to Bologna, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) quickly announced the inclusion of Effiong.
Sports247.ng reports that the former youth international now joins Katsina United goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa as well as Enyimba of Aba duo of joins Valentine Ozornwafor and Ikouwem Udo Utin in the Eagles’ squad that will battle Seychelles this Friday.
Effiong also joins Ozornwafor and Utin alongside Paul Onuachu from FC Midtjylland in Denmark as the uncapped players called up to the Eagles’ squad that will also battle Egypt in an international friendly on Tuesday, also at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
The 20-year-old Effiong, who was part of the Olympic Eagles’ squad that won the 2015 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations and went on to win bronze at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil, joined Akwa United this year.
The rising player, who moved to his hometown club from Abia Warriors of Umuahia just before the start of the ongoing NPFL season, scored an opening goal for Akwa United in a 2-1 win away to Heartland of Owerri few hours before his invitation to the Eagles was made public.
