Alhassan Yusuf to replace injured Wilfred Ndidi in Super eagles AFCON squad

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will be without midfielder Wilfred Ndidi at the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) due to an injury, prompting the inclusion of Alhassan Yusuf as a late replacement.

The final squad submission for all 24 teams participating in the AFCON is due tomorrow, with the option to make changes until January 10 in case of injuries.

Wilfred Ndidi sustained an injury that ruled him out of Leicester City’s recent match against Huddersfield Town, and as a result, he will be unavailable for the AFCON.

In response to Ndidi’s injury, Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro and the team administrator have reached out to Alhassan Yusuf, instructing him to join the AFCON training camp in Dubai, which commenced today.

Alhassan Yusuf, a midfielder with Antwerp in Belgium, has been drafted as a late replacement for Ndidi.

Despite his impressive performances in Belgium, Yusuf has yet to earn a cap for the Super Eagles. He was initially named on the 40-man provisional squad for the AFCON before receiving the late call-up to join the squad in Dubai.

Meanwhile, Wilfred Ndidi’s Leicester City teammate, Kelechi Iheanacho is expected to shakeoff injury in-time to represent Nigeria at the AFCON.