In a surprising turn of events, Nigeria has been hit with a major setback on the eve of their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations opener against Equatorial Guinea. Key midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, a linchpin in the Super Eagles' lineup, has been ruled out of the tournament in Ivory Coast due to an injury sustained while on duty with Leicester City.
Official confirmation from the Nigeria Football Federation, reported by Allnigeriasoccer.com, underscores the gravity of Ndidi's absence. The holding midfielder, also serving as one of the assistant captains, was a guaranteed presence in Nigeria's ideal starting lineup for the AFCON campaign.
Ndidi's involvement in every game played by the national team since the 2019 edition highlighted his significance, making his withdrawal a painful blow. Manager Jose Peseiro has swiftly responded to the challenge by calling up Royal Antwerp midfielder Alhassan Yusuf. Named in the provisional AFCON squad, Yusuf now steps into the spotlight, tasked with filling Ndidi's shoes.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Yusuf has received a national team call-up under Peseiro. The 23-year-old earned a spot for international friendlies in 2022 but couldn't attend the camp in the United States. Now, with Ndidi sidelined, Yusuf's chance to showcase his skills on the continental stage has arrived.
A product of FC Hearts Abuja, Yusuf's performances in the UEFA Champions League group stage, including a goal against Porto and an assist in Antwerp's victory over Barcelona, have caught the attention of Nigeria Football Federation's Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen and Manager Peseiro. As the Super Eagles regroup for AFCON, all eyes will be on how Yusuf integrates into the squad and navigates the challenges of this high-stakes tournament.
