Frank Onyeka: 3 Super Eagles Midfielders Who Could Replace Brentford Star in Nigeria vs Mali Clash

• Frank Onyeka has been ruled out of Nigeria's friendly match against Mali
• The Brentford star reportedly returned to England due to personal reasons
• Sports Brief has listed midfielders who could replace him against the Eagles

The Super Eagles will be missing some key players in their second international friendly after beating Ghana, with Frank Onyeka being one of the players ruled out for the match against Mali.

The Nigerian national team caretaker coach, Finidi George, must select a new midfielder for the tie against the Eagles as Onyeka has left the camp for England due to personal reasons.

Ahead of the match, Sports Brief proposes three midfielders who could deputise for the Brentford star against Mali in Morocco.

Players to replace Onyeka against Mali

1. Alhassan Yusuf

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The Antwerp midfielder showed glimpses of what he could do when he featured in the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Yusuf's display against Equatorial Guinea made him a fan favourite, but he had limited time to showcase it due to injury.

The former IFK Goteborg player is one of the perfect replacements for Onyeka in the Super Eagles squad and could be the one to partner Wilfried Ndidi and Alex Iwobi against the Malians.

2. Raphael Onyedika

The Club Brugge star played some minutes in Nigeria's 2-1 win over Ghana after replacing Ndidi in the second half.

Onyedika has not had ample opportunity to fully showcase what he can offer for the Nigerian team, and with Onyeka being out of the squad, this could be the right time to make the fans and coach realise he's capable.

3. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder could be deployed in Onyeka's role even though he was listed in the Super Eagles squad as a winger.

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The position is not new to the Nigerian international, as he plays mainly as an attacking midfielder and occasionally as a centre midfielder for his club, Hatayspor, according to a report by Transfer Markt.

Bassey to miss Mali friendly

Sports Brief also reported that an injury has ruled Fulham defender Calvin Bassey out of Nigeria's forthcoming friendly against Mali on Tuesday.

The former Ajax defender has a condition that requires further inspection and treatment at the club. The specific nature and severity of the problem remain unknown.