Emmanuel Emenike to miss South Africa friendly
- Published
Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike and defender Kenneth Omeruo have been ruled out of the Super Eagles' friendly tie against South Africa on 14 August.
Emenike has opted to remain in Turkey, after re-signing for Fenerbahce.
"He is highly valued in Turkey and has requested that he be allowed to settle well at the club," Nigeria media officer Ben Alaiya said.
Omeruo, who injured his shoulder at the Confederations Cup, has been told to stay at his club, Chelsea, to recover.
Gege Soriola and James Okwuosa - who are both based in South Africa - have been called up as replacements.
Emenike, who was the top scorer in Nigeria's victorious Africa Cup of Nations campaign received the backing of Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi, as he begins his second spell at the Turkish club.
"We will need him in the World Cup qualifiers but he has a lot of things to do at his new club and we must give him that opportunity," Keshi said.
"But I must say we are in good contact and we are happy with the way things are going with our top players in the transfer market."
The game - billed as the Nelson Mandela Challenge - will see the African Champions face Bafana Bafana for the first time in five years, in Durban.
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