Watford Boss, Ranieri denies insulting AFCON and Nigeria

Watford Boss, Ranieri denies insulting AFCON and Nigeria By Our Reporter Watford boss Claudio Ranieri denies insulting Nigerian football by blocking Emmanuel Dennis' AFCON selection. Striker Dennis has been 'excused' from the squad in a major boost for fourth-bottom Watford who were accused by the Nigeria Football Federation of 'baring fangs' ahead of the frontman's removal from the squad. Dennis, Watford's eight-goal top scorer, had been included in Augustine Eguavoen's 28-man party for the tournament in Cameroon. Ranieri said: "I knew they were speaking, the Watford board and Nigeria board and I accept every decision they're fine and that for me is finished. "No [we have not insulted AFCON]. We respect everybody. They have a lot of players and they changed the manager then changed everything. "We were ready to give them players. They didn't do this and the two boards spoke and for me it's ok. I am only the manager, the coach and I accept everything." There are also suggestions that a lack of assurance about the role he was due to play at AFCON also played a part in the decision to release Dennis from the squad. Ranieri said: "Of course he wanted to go to play but also he wanted to help Watford."