In a significant blow to Nigeria’s AFCON 2023 aspirations, Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has been forced to withdraw from the tournament due to injury, leaving coach Jose Peseiro without a key player. The 27-year-old, expected to play a pivotal role in Nigeria’s quest for a fourth AFCON title, suffered the setback just days before the competition’s commencement.
Ndidi, renowned as one of Africa’s top defensive midfielders, holds considerable experience in major tournaments, having featured in both the World Cup and the Nations Cup. His absence will undoubtedly be felt by the Super Eagles, impacting their defensive prowess.
To fill the void, Peseiro has called up Antwerp star Alhassan Yusuf, who, at 23, will make his tournament debut and serve as the sole dedicated defensive midfielder in the squad. The coach can also turn to Frank Onyeka, who can adapt to the position if required.
As Nigeria navigates this setback, there’s additional concern with striker Kelechi Iheanacho not being fully fit for the competition. Ndidi’s injury deals a blow to the team’s ambitions, leaving fans hopeful that the impact will be minimized as they aim for success in the knockout stages.
