Injured Wilfred Ndidi Gets Replacement As 17 Stars Hit Super Eagles AFCON Camp

• Wilfred Ndidi has been dropped from Nigeria’s AFCON 2023 squad
• The Leicester City midfielder will not join the Super Eagles AFCON camp
• 17 players have so far reported to the Super Eagles camp in Abu Dhabi

Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has been ruled out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations due to injury, the Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed.

The 27-year-old midfielder was initially included in Jose Peseiro’s final 25-man squad for the AFCON, but it is now confirmed he will not be joining the Super Eagles camp in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, due to the injury.

According to Complete Sports, Royal Antwerp midfielder Alhassan Yusuf has been drafted in as a replacement for the injured Ndidi, and the 23-year-old is now expected to link up with the team in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, January 3.

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The NFF also noted Kelechi Iheanacho’s participation in AFCON 2023 for Nigeria is still in doubt as the Leicester City forward hopes to join the team before the competition commences on January 13.

So far, 17 players have arrived at the Super Eagles camp in Abu Dhabi as Nigeria prepares to win a fourth AFCON title when the competition kicks off in Ivory Coast.

Osimhen missing from Super Eagles camp

Meanwhile, Napoli forward Victor Osimhen is yet to join the rest of the Super Eagles squad in their Abu Dhabi camp, as 17 players have turned up on the opening day of camping for AFCON.

Ahmed Musa, the team captain, was among the first to arrive to camp, and he was joined by fellow AFCON winner Kenneth Omeruo, Moses Simon, and Olorunleke Ojo, Soccernet reports.

Other players also in the Super Eagles camp include Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey of Fulham, Semi Ajayi, Joe Aribo, Frank Onyeka, Ola Aina, Chidozie Awaziem, Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi, Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, Raphael and Bright Osayi-Samuel.

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Setback for Nigeria ahead of AFCON

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro is reportedly set to drop Leicester City duo Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho from his final 25-man squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Both player's participation at the 34th edition of the AFCON is under threat as they are currently battling with varying degrees of injuries prior to the kick-off of the Mundial.