Evaluating Nigeria's Defensive Options As 2019 AFCON Draws Closer

In the wake of the little or inactivity of some Super Eagles defenders for their different clubs due to varying issues with this year's 2019 AFCON tournament drawing closer, it is important to look at the options Gernot Rohr has at his disposal and how each of his rear guard choices have fared most recently.

First choice right-back, Shehu Abdullahi has played just ten minutes of football this year after making a return from an injury he cropped while on international duty in October, 2018.

The 25-year-old watched proceedings from the bench for the entire ninety as Bursaspor played out a goalless draw with Konyaspor in a Turkish league game on Monday.

For another full-back, Tyronne Ebuehi, there is still no sign of the Benfica youngster since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligaments in the left knee last year.

Presumably, he could miss Nigeria's Afcon tune-up games in March just before the main competition if there are no positive news about his recuperation in the coming weeks.

Chelsea loanee, Ola Aina has been one of the standout players for loan club, Torino since his switch and is set to play a vital role for the team when the competition kicks in.

Aina has played 1,588 minutes of football in all competitions this season for his Serie A club and went the distance in the stalemate with SPAL last weekend.

Paderborn's Jamilu Collins is another top performer in the German Bundesliga 2. He has started and completed 20 league games for his club who sit seventh in the country's second tier this season.

This year, he has played three games for the Benteler-Arena outfit so far.

In the central defensive positions, Brighton's Leon Balogun and Udinese's William Troost-Ekong who their combination have not be altered for a long time in the team have performed well for their sides aside occasional blips.

Balogun has been solid enough when called upon for the Seagulls and logged 120 minutes as they beat West Brom in an FA Cup game on Wednesday.

Troost-Ekong on his part, has started and completed all but one of his team's 22 Serie A games this term.

Another of the Blues loanees, Kenneth Omeruo has led a renaissance of some sorts since his temporary switch, drawing plaudits for his showings for Spanish La Liga club, Leganes.

He has made 15 topflight outings for the club so far, including featuring against Barcelona, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid in the division.

And then, there is Rotherham's Semi Ajayi who has been making a name for himself in the English Championship.