The Super Eagles’ head coach, Jose Peseiro, has confirmed that Alhassan Yusuf will miss the crucial 2023 AFCON match against Ivory Coast due to an injury sustained in the opening game.
Yusuf, who replaced the injured Wilfred Ndidi, impressed in the first match but had to be substituted in the 69th minute after suffering a knock.
Despite his impactful performance in the game against Equatorial Guinea, Yusuf won’t be fit for the upcoming clash.
Peseiro expressed disappointment but hinted at the possibility of Yusuf returning for the team’s last group game.
The absence of the Belgian-based midfielder poses a challenge for the Super Eagles, especially in the defensive midfield role.
Fans are eager to see if Southampton’s Joe Aribo, who played as a substitute in the previous match, will step up to fill the void.
As Nigeria faces Ivory Coast, who secured a 2-0 victory in their opening game, the team aims to overcome this setback and secure a positive result in the highly anticipated fixture at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
