AFCON 2023: Peseiro names replacement for injured Ndidi
While Ndidi's absence is a blow, the hope remains that teammate Kelechi Iheanacho may recover in time.
Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has moved swiftly to fill the void left by the injured Wilfred Ndidi, calling up Antwerp midfielder Alhassan Yusuf as a late replacement for the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote D’Ivoire.
While Ndidi's absence is a blow, the hope remains that teammate Kelechi Iheanacho may recover in time.
The Super Eagles' aspirations for AFCON glory hit a rough patch with the news of Ndidi joining Iheanacho on the dreaded injury list.
Fears heightened as the Leicester City midfield maestro missed the Foxes' New Year's Day win due to an undisclosed injury picked up after their Cardiff victory.
Manager Enzo Maresca confirmed the injury, leaving Ndidi's AFCON participation hanging in the balance. "He's still joining Nigeria this week," Maresca stated, "but there's no guarantee he'll be fit enough to play."
The situation is further complicated by Iheanacho, who has been sidelined for Leicester's last two games but Super Eagles officials are keeping hope alive for the former Manchester City star.
This double blow is a major setback for the Eagles, who aim for their fourth AFCON crown but now face a tougher climb with a shorthanded squad.
Though Ndidi's absence is significant, Yusuf's arrival offers a promising alternative. The Antwerp midfielder has impressed in Belgium, and his energy and skill could prove valuable in the Eagles' midfield.
