Enugu Rangers have announced that late call-up Kenneth Igboke will report to the Super Eagles training camp in Uyo when it opens tomorrow ahead of 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin.
Leftback Igboke has replaced injured Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.
The youngster broke into the Rangers first team last season from the junior team.
He said he is grateful for the opportunity to represent Nigeria at this level.
“I am indeed delighted with this opportunity extended to me and I promise to make the best possible use of it to ensure that our country’s flag is hoisted at the next FIFA World Cup 2026,” he told Rangers media.
“I feel so excited, I feel so happy to have been given this chance and I promise to be an excellent ambassador of my club, Rangers International F.C and the NPFL, organizers of the league, where we showcase our talent every week.”
He further said, “I have the confidence that it would be a worthwhile experience for me and other home-based invitees to ensure we make room for more to be invited.
“With my fans’ and club members’ prayers and support, I shall defend our nation creditably.”
Players, coaches, and backroom staff of the ‘Flying Antelopes’ mounted a guard of honour for him at training.
I am not bothered about Victor Osimhen’s absence. He has not been prolific as expected because of his style of play. He hustles too energetically instead of positioning himself strategically for proper passes from his team mates. This is what deadly strikers do in a team. It took just one season for coaches in Italy to study him and know what to do stop him. Any wonder his goal scoring plummeted this year? Nope. We have enough skilful players to beat any team in the world. Our challenge is to have a coach that can strategically blend the boys to perform. Despite our winning Silver in the last AFCON competition, I was disappointed at our team’s inability to put passes together for as long as possible. Yes we defeated South Africa last time around, however, truth be told, they were a better team than the Super Eagles.