Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has invited Reims midfielder John Otomewo as a replacement for Wilfred Ndidi in the squad for the friendly game against Russia, Owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively reveal.
Ndidi won’t be available for the October 6th friendly game after taking part in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers games against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau respectively.
Chelle who is using the friendly game to try out most of the players in his plans for the U23 team for the Olympic qualifiers, and 19 year old Otomewo is seen as an option in the midfield.
Scouted by foremost Israeli scout David Ouziel from Nigeria as an unknown player, he has blossomed into a refined midfielder in little less than two years
Yesterday he was officially handed an invitation to join the team for the Russia friendly, with Chelle having the chance to closely assess him.
Otomewo moved to Ligue 2 side Reims in the summer transfer window from Israeli side Hapoel Jerusalem, and has played in all seven games so far as they maintain their push for promotion to Ligue 1.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
