Sodiq Umar has become the third player to withdraw from Jose Paseiro’s Nigeria squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Unfortunately, the in-form Real Sociedad striker suffered a knee injury during a pre-AFCON friendly against Guinea and will be sidelined for at least three weeks, ruling him out of the Super Eagles’ campaign. This injury comes as a blow for Umar and the team, as he joins Wilfred Ndidi and Victor Boniface on the list of unavailable players.
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Victor Boniface, who sustained a muscle-tendon injury in the right adductor area during preparations for the tournament, has already undergone surgery. The in-form Bayer Leverkusen striker will be sidelined for approximately six weeks. Meanwhile, Wilfred Ndidi, an important midfielder for Nigeria, is facing a significant muscle injury that will keep him out of action for a minimum of three months. His absence is undoubtedly a big disappointment for the team.
In light of these injuries, replacements have been called up. Trabzonspor’s Paul Onuachu will be filling in for Sodiq Umar, while Terem Moffi has been invited to replace the injured Victor Boniface. Alhassan Yusuf, a former Nigeria Academy, FC Heart, and Royal Antwerp midfielder, has been called in as an injury replacement for Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi.
With these withdrawals and replacements, the Super Eagles will have to adapt and work together to overcome these obstacles in their quest for success in the Africa Cup of Nations.
