Panic In Nigeria As Key Midfielder Picks Up Fresh Injury Ahead Of World Cup Playoffs

Panic In Nigeria As Key Midfielder Picks Up Fresh Injury Ahead Of World Cup Playoffs

Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:58 PM
  • Nigeria could be dealt a huge blow ahead of their crucial World Cup playoffs against West African rivals Ghana
  • Wilfred Ndidi limped off in Leicester City's UEFA Conference League match against French opposition Stade Rennes
  • The Super Eagles of Nigeria are billed to play against Ghana in the forthcoming World Cup playoffs over a two-legged tie

Three-time African champions, Nigeria have been handed a major headache with less than ten days to the first leg of the all-important World Cup playoffs against Ghana.

Hardworking midfield enforcer Wilfred Ndidi suffered an injury in Leicester City's Conference League return leg encounter against Rennes.

The Nigeria international could only last for an hour as Leicester manager Brendan Rogers was forced to substitute the 25-year-old player.

Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi picked up an injury while playing for Leicester City in the Conference League. Photo credit: @GOALAfrica @thenff
Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi picked up an injury while playing for Leicester City in the Conference League. Photo credit: @GOALAfrica @thenff
Source: Twitter

Ndidi suffered an issue with a medial ligament in his knee. The severity of his injury is unknown yet but further tests will determine his availability for the crucial game.

Since making his debut for Nigeria, the Lagos-born midfielder has been a key member of the Super Eagles and has been named in coach Augustine Eguavoen's 25-man-squad.

Should he be ruled out for more than two weeks, it will inadvertently exclude him from the World Cup playoffs which will be a major blow to Nigeria.

In his absence, Nigeria will have to fall on the experience of Ogenyi Onazi, who believes he has a lot to offer despite his long absence from the national team.

Onazi believes his experience will be needed in the World Cup clash

Ogenyi Onazi has explained that his experience will be of great help for the Super Eagles ahead of the 2022 World Cup final play-off between Nigeria and Ghana this month.

After being out of the Super Eagles squad for almost four years, interim manager Eguavoen decided to bring the former Lazio man back into the national team.

But despite being put on the standby list, many Nigerian football lovers were still not happy about Ogenyi Onazi's recall to the Super Eagles.

Semenyo picks up fresh injury ahead of Ghana's World Cup playoffs against Nigeria

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that incoming Black Stars player and Bristol City striker Antoine Semenyo is racing against time to be fit for Ghana's World Cup qualifying play-off against Nigeria later this month.

The 22-year-old forward picked a knock and he was substituted in the closing stages in his side's 2-0 away defeat to Barnsley on Tuesday.

Semenyo will undergo a medical assessment by team doctor Bristol City John Moore to check the severity of his injury, according to BristolPost.

Authors
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe photo
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe is a Ligue 1, Bundesliga, and La Liga editor with five-year experience. He previously worked with Sports Corna and 360SportsGH.
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