It is looking grim for the Super of Eagles of Nigeria ahead of 2023 AFCON.
The three-time African champions are among elite national teams expected to wrestle for the trophy along side tournament host Ivory Coast, defending champions Senegal, and seven-time champions and record-winners Egypt.
Iheanacho is an injury concern for Super Eagles ahead of 2023 AFCON
Image Credit: Getty Images
With a week and a few days to go before the kickoff, Nigeria is already struggling with a niggling injury crisis. First, Leicester City attacker Kelechi Iheanacho, who was named among the 25-man squad for the tournament, picked up a muscular injury sparking fears he may be ruled out of the tournament.
Now, a report by BBC journalist Owynn Palmer-Atkin has revealed another Super Eagles star, Wilfred Ndidi, who was also named in the 25-man AFCON squad, is also on the sidelines ahead of the tournament
As per the report, Wilfred Ndidi was expected to feature for Leicester City against Huddersfield in Championship match before joining up with the Super Eagles for AFCON preparations.
Owynn Palmer-Atkin says:
"Enzo Maresca tells me that Wilfred Ndidi has picked up an injury, that’s why he was absent today.
"Both Ndidi and Iheanacho are set to join up with Nigeria tomorrow it Enzo stressed that neither are currently fit enough to play."
Ndidi missed the game due to injury, and is now a major doubt for the tournament.
Wilfred Ndidi sidelined ahead of 2023 AFCON
Image Credit: Getty Images
The injury is coming as a major blow for the Super Eagles who also grappling with Iheanacho's injury. The duo have been regular starters in Jose Peseiro's Super Eagles squad and were expected to play a key role in the AFCON tournament.
Since making his debut for the Super Eagles in 2015, Kelechi Iheanacho has won 50 caps, scoring 15 goals.
Ndidi also made his debut in 2015, and has won 54 caps with the team.
Nigerian fans will hope to have the pair back from the injury before the the team kicks off their AFCON campaign on January 14, 2024.
The African giants will be hoping to clinch their fourth AFCON title, ending a 10 years wait for the trophy. They will open their campaign against Equatorial Guinea before taking on Cote D'Ivoire, and Guinea-Bissau in the final group game.
The three-time African champions are among elite national teams expected to wrestle for the trophy along side tournament host Ivory Coast, defending champions Senegal, and seven-time champions and record-winners Egypt.
Iheanacho is an injury concern for Super Eagles ahead of 2023 AFCON
Image Credit: Getty Images
With a week and a few days to go before the kickoff, Nigeria is already struggling with a niggling injury crisis. First, Leicester City attacker Kelechi Iheanacho, who was named among the 25-man squad for the tournament, picked up a muscular injury sparking fears he may be ruled out of the tournament.
Now, a report by BBC journalist Owynn Palmer-Atkin has revealed another Super Eagles star, Wilfred Ndidi, who was also named in the 25-man AFCON squad, is also on the sidelines ahead of the tournament
As per the report, Wilfred Ndidi was expected to feature for Leicester City against Huddersfield in Championship match before joining up with the Super Eagles for AFCON preparations.
Owynn Palmer-Atkin says:
"Enzo Maresca tells me that Wilfred Ndidi has picked up an injury, that’s why he was absent today.
"Both Ndidi and Iheanacho are set to join up with Nigeria tomorrow it Enzo stressed that neither are currently fit enough to play."
Ndidi missed the game due to injury, and is now a major doubt for the tournament.
Wilfred Ndidi sidelined ahead of 2023 AFCON
Image Credit: Getty Images
The injury is coming as a major blow for the Super Eagles who also grappling with Iheanacho's injury. The duo have been regular starters in Jose Peseiro's Super Eagles squad and were expected to play a key role in the AFCON tournament.
Since making his debut for the Super Eagles in 2015, Kelechi Iheanacho has won 50 caps, scoring 15 goals.
Ndidi also made his debut in 2015, and has won 54 caps with the team.
Nigerian fans will hope to have the pair back from the injury before the the team kicks off their AFCON campaign on January 14, 2024.
The African giants will be hoping to clinch their fourth AFCON title, ending a 10 years wait for the trophy. They will open their campaign against Equatorial Guinea before taking on Cote D'Ivoire, and Guinea-Bissau in the final group game.