2022 World Cup Qualifiers: Another Injury Blow For Nigeria
- As Keeper Okoye misses Ghana game
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been dealt another major injury blow with the first choice goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye ruled out of their World Cup qualifiers against Ghana.
The development has effectively ensured that Okoye, who plies his trade with Sparta Rotterdam of Holland, will not play any part when the Super Eagles take on the Black Stars on Friday, March 25, 2022.
A statement by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Netherlands based goaltender is down with ill health and will not be available to feature against the Ghanaians in Kumasi.
As a replacement for the injured Okoye, Coach Augustine Eguavoen has invited Enyimba goalkeeper John Noble, with Cyprus-based Francis Uzoho now considered as the favourite to man the goalposts for the three-time African champions.
Noble was among the four goalkeepers that made the Nigerian national team’s list to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Okoye’s absence will come as another massive setback in Nigeria’s preparations for the double-header with Ghana given his impressive performances between the posts for his Dutch Eredivisie outfit.
The goalkeeper is the second first team player that will miss the World Cup qualifier due to injury, after Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi had earlier been declared unfit to participate in the match.
However, reacting to the injury news, ex-Nigeria international Mutiu Adepoju, said his faith in Nigeria’s ability to qualify for the World Cup is not shaken and Nigerians should be upbeat about the ability of Eguavoen’s men to deliver.
“There is no cause for alarm man. Super Eagles will still get the job done because we have the quality. #SoarEagles,” the former Real Madrid player tweeted while responding to a tweet confirming the development.
Meanwhile, 18 of the 25 invited players have arrived at The Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments.
Expected later in the evening are Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Zaidu Sanusi, Akinkunmi Amoo, Samuel Chukwueze, and Almeria’s Sadiq Umar.
Leicester City’s Ademola Lookman is billed to join the rest of the team on Wednesday morning.
The first leg encounter taking place on Friday will be the 57th meeting between both West African countries at senior level.
In the all-time series, the Ghanaians have 25 victories in their kitty while Nigeria boast of 12 wins with both countries stalemating proceedings on 19 occasions. – With Goal.com reports
