Following the injury, Super Eagles left full back Elderson Echiejile picked late in the match against Zambia, for which he has been ruled out of Nigeria’s final World Cup 2018 Qualifiers tie against Algeria in Algiers. Gernot Rohr is now looking to Russian-born player of Nigerian descent to address the shortfall in defensive manpower.

Echiejile who went off injured late in the game was replaced by Chelsea full back Ola Aina ‎, and recent test suggest he will spend at least four weeks on the sidelines as he work his way back to full fitness.

 

The length of time he will be out has lead to coach Gernot Rohr of the Super Eagles casting a glance at Russian-Nigerian defender Brian Idowu.

 

Idowu plays for Russian side Amkar Perm, and even though he qualifies to represent Russia, he was interested in switching allegiance to Nigeria before their first game against Algeria.

 

Issues concerning owning a Nigerian passport stopped him from honouring the call to represent Nigeria who are already through to the World Cup courtesy of their 1-0 win over Zambia.