Watford also refuse to release Nigerian teenager Jayden Bennetts for Wafu U20 tournament

WATFORD teenage striker Jayden Bennetts has had to pull out of the Flying Eagles squad that is due to compete in the forthcoming West African Football Union (Wafu) U20 championship in the Republic of Benin due to club commitments.

Bennetts, 17, is a highly rated forward seen to have a great future and keen to secure his services, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) invited him to participate in the regional tournament. He accepted the invitation to represent Nigeria in principle ahead of Germany, the country of his mother and England, the country of his birth.

However, the youngster will not be honouring the call as Watford have decided against releasing him for the regional tournament citing club engagements. Watford, however, assured the NFF that Jayden will be available when the Flying Eagles head to the Africa U20 Cup of Nations next year.

Described as a ‎midfielder with an eye for goal by the official website of Watford, Bennetts can also play as a striker with his lethal nature in front of goal earning him the nickname Eden Hazard owing to his similarities with the Chelsea ace. Earlier this week, Manchester City also refused to release Nigerian teenager Ayotomiwa Dele-Bashiru to participate in the Wafu championship in Benin Republic.