Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi was missing from Leicester City's matchday squad on New Year's Day. The 27 year old's participation at the AFCON 2023 is now in doubt.
It's also worth mentioning that Ndidi's Super Eagles and Leicester City teammate Kelechi Iheanacho is also in the recovery room; as he has missed the Foxes' last two games.
Ndidi and Iheanacho were named in Jose Peseiro's AFCON 2023 squad last week; and despite their injuries, they joined the national team as they made the trip to Abu Dhabi for their training camp.
With that in mind, Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro might have to explore other options in case Ndidi and Iheanacho aren't fit for Africa's biggest football competition, which begins in less than two weeks.
The Portuguese coach has set his sights on Royal Antwerp's Yusuf Alhassan as a potential replacement for Ndidi. The 23 year old has been in sensational form for the Belgian outfit in recent weeks, registering three assists in his last four games.
🚨 BREAKING: Massive blow for Nigeria as combative midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is reportedly ruled out of the Africa Cup of Nations.
🔄 Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro is rumoured to have turned his attention to Yusuf Alhassan to replace Ndidi in the squad.#A2ZisHere #AFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/lf2jn9RmRd
— A2Z Football Hub 🟡⚫ (@a2zfootballhub) January 3, 2024
Interestingly, Alhassan is yet to earn his first cap for the Super Eagles. However, he was named in Peseiro's provisional AFCON 2023 squad, but didn't make the final cut. The Royal Antwerp player will have to prove his worth as Nigeria's national team go on a quest to win their fourth AFCON title.
We would also like to point out that per CAF rules, a player can only be replaced in the squad after suffering a serious injury no less than 24 hours before the team's first match, pending approval from the CAF Medical Committee. Considering the tournament is still over a week away, Peseiro will keep an eye on the Leicester City duo before making a final decision.
Furthermore, it is understood that the Super Eagles coach is eyeing Nice's Terem Moffi as Iheanacho's replacement. Like Alhassan, Moffi was named in Peseiro's provisional squad for the AFCON 2023.
The Super Eagles' training camp runs until 9th January; they'll make the trip to Lagos before departing for Ivory Coast for the Nations Cup. Peseiro's troops will square off against Equatorial Guinea in their opening group game on 14th January.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
