The Watford forward is one of the hottest players in Europe currently, but unfortunately, he will not be at the AFCON

Nigerian fans have taken to Twitter to express their dissatisfaction after Watford star Emmanuel Dennis pulled out of the upcoming African Cup of Nations.

The Abuja-born forward is currently one of the in-form strikers in the Premier League at the moment. The former Club Brugge man has eight goals and five assists in 16 Premier League games.

Only Liverpool and Egypt star Mohamed Salah has more goal contributions this season.

Although the 24-year-old has not played for the Super Eagles since November 2020, he was included in the 28-man squad for the AFCON.

Following his inclusion, Dennis shared his excitement on his Twitter page. However, the status quo has changed as the 24-year-old has pulled out of the biennial competition.

Although there is no confirmed reason, Watford boss Claudio Ranieri hinted earlier that they were looking to exploit an NFF blunder in order to keep their star striker.

But the news of his withdrawal has not gone down well with Nigerian fans,  with many taking to Twitter to express their displeasure.

They are going down you know even with Dennis playing.— PassionateGunner 🇨🇾 (@10Tolis10) December 31, 2021

Selective because Dennis has been so good this szn, I understand their angle but it’s just disrespectful, if anything they should have Euros and AFCON same time— Chris🇳🇬 (@OfficialChris29) December 31, 2021

Hey Dennis H. A. van Leeuwen 🕹(@Vaeshkar), thank you for following me— 🎇🎆Rebecca.E.Hattam🎆🎇 (@HattamRebecca) December 31, 2021

and this is exactly why either the season should be halted or it should be done in the summer. why should dennis miss out? i bet they won’t refuse any players for the world cup https://t.co/7dHSV6ptid

— ben (@benbrns_) December 31, 2021

Dennis should refuse to play for Watford. Absolutely disgusting from Watford to refuse to release him

— SALAH PROP ZONE ONLY (@namzbah96) December 31, 2021

Shame on them blocking Dennis a chance to represent his country at AFCON https://t.co/fIR1fKzuaS

— Mukoma Shadii ♛ (@shadrickoo) December 31, 2021

Can’t lie. Whether documentation was sent in late or not. Denying a player to represent his country is a mad to me. Surely you could’ve looked past it & allowed Dennis to play for Nigeria in such an important tournament.— Aaron Cikaya 🇩🇪🇨🇩🇬🇧 (@aaroncikaya) December 31, 2021

We can be dodgy as fuck. But I really don’t think we’d stop Dennis from going to AFCON on a technicality, especially with his alleged history of attitude problems. Clearly he was more than happy to stay at Watford, and Nigeria would have done more to keep him if they were serious— Aaron 🟡 (@aaron_bennis10) December 31, 2021

Unless there’s new info that comes to light, not allowing Dennis to go to AFCON because of a late email is awful. As if any other player would be put in the same position if it were another competition?

— Rachel (@rachel_sg) December 31, 2021

God, what kind of pussies are the NFF? Losing dennis and osimehn. Competition wey never start don almost end! https://t.co/IYW5R2H5c3

— ọmọluwabi (@AYOMID3__) December 31, 2021

How low can you get? Disallowing a player from honouring his Country’s call. It shows disrespect to AFCON. It also shows some sort of systemic racism. Many English players get die minute calls and they see it as a honour. Fix up.

— Dr Joshua Idowu (@J_laurels) December 31, 2021

YOU’RE GETTING RELEGATED
YOU’RE GETTING RELEGATED
YOU’RE GETTING RELEGATED
YOU’RE GETTING RELEGATED
🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶— Noah 🇳🇬✝️ (@CroydonDebruyn7) December 31, 2021

Insha Allah you’re going down

— Abbati (@iubarau) December 31, 2021

Let Emmanuel Dennis play for his country ,you stupid club of England!!!!— Boy T🌴❤️ (@_Tomzy_07) December 31, 2021

@WatfordFC u are a disgrace, may God pun!sh u people, u people will soon get relegate to slum. UseIess club. 🇳🇬 will prevail— Xtian (@360fotography) December 31, 2021

However, while Dennis had to pull out, his compatriot William Troost-Ekong is still in the Super Eagles squad for the competition.