By Onyekachi Chimezie
Valentine Ozornwafor’s invitation to the next international friendly between Nigeria and the Algerian Desert Foxes on September 27 has been confirmed by his French Ligue 2 club Sochaux. reports Owosports.com.ng.
Nigeria will be without two of their regular centre-backs, Semi Ajayi and Kenneth Omeruo for the game.
Following surgery last week for a knee ailment, Ajayi will likely be sidelined for about a month.
Omeruo, a player for Leganes of Spain Segunda Division, is also recovering from an injury.
Sochaux confirmed the Nsukka-born defender’s invitation to the Eagles squad, which is led by head coach Jose Peseiro, in a statement posted on the team’s official website.
“Valentine Ozornwafor has been called up to Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming international break.
“The Sochaux defender is called to join his national team on September 19, with which he currently has three selections.”
The 23-year-old centre-back was first called up to the full side in March 2019, for a friendly game against Seychelles and Egypt, but was only an unused substitute. He debuted with Nigeria in a 1–0 friendly loss to Cameroon on 4 June 2021.
This summer, Ozornwafor moved from Turkish Super Lig team Galatasaray to Sochaux on a one-year loan.
The defender has played three league games for his team this season.
On September 27 at Oran, the Super Eagles will take on Algeria in a friendly encounter.