… as Alhassan Yusuf replaces injured Ndidi in Super Eagles squad
Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is nursing an injury that could rule him out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.
The Leicester City star was missing in action when the Foxes thrashed Huddersfield 4-1 on New Year’s Day as the club chase a swift return to the Premier League from the Championship.
While AFCON is less than two weeks to kick off, Ndidi’s club coach, Enzo Maresca, has disclosed that the Nigerian suffered an injury in the awake of their win over Cardiff City and was left of out the squad, noting there is no guarantee he will be fit enough to play.
“Kelechi and Wilfred are both injured, but they are now going to be with the international team.
“We’ll see if they’re going to keep them or send them back. But they are both injured unfortunately for us,” Maresca said on Leicester Mercury.
Ndidi now joins Kelechi Iheanacho on the sideline, though, they will link up with Super Eagles in the United Arab Emirates where the team will initiate their training before to the tournament.
The duo were named in coach Jose Peseiro’s 25-man squad list as Nigeria push for a forth continental title when the soccer fiesta begins on January 13th.
Eagles will begin their quest for the coveted trophy with Equatorial Guinea on January 14th before subsequent matches with hosts Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau in Group A.
Meanwhile, Alhassan Yusuf of Royal Antwerp have reportedly been brought on board as replacement for injured Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
According to Score Nigeria, Super Eagles’ coach Jose Peseiro has contacted Yusuf to report to the team’s camp in Dubai with Ndidi effectively ruled out of the event in Côte d’Ivoire this month.
The defensive midfielder’s absence has initially impacted the Eagles’ preparations for the continental tourney, though, Peseiro has Yusuf to count on as he hopes to lead the team to glory.
The 23-year-old Alhassan Yusuf has been in fine form this season for Antwerp in Belgium with top-class performances, having played 15 matches so far. Likened to Frenchman N’Golo Kante, the Kano State-born player has been a mainstay in Antwerp’s midfield since he arrived from IFK Göteborg of Sweden in 2021.
Nonetheless, to earn a senior-level cap, Yusuf has been praised for his intelligence, relentless energy, and excellent ball-winning abilities as a defensive midfielder. He was initially named on the 41-man provisional squad list for the African competition before his late call-up.
