Wilfred Ndidi ruled out of Super Eagles AFCON squad due to injury, to be replaced by Alhassan Yusuf

02:01 - 03 January 2024

Ndidi out of Supr Eagles AFCON squad, to be replaced by Alhassan Yusuf

Wilfred Ndidi will be replaced by Alhassan Yusuf in the Super Eagles AFCON squad after picking up a serious injury

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have suffered a massive blow ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after midfielder Wilfred Ndidi was confirmed injured.

Ndidi's injury comes as a shock, just under two weeks before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations where he was selected in a 25-man list to represent Nigeria in Ivory Coast.

The 27-year-old midfielder missed the last game for his club as Leicester City emerged 4-1 winners against Huddersfield Town in a Championship clash on New Year's day.

Head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed that the Nigerian was missing due to an injury which now appears serious enough to keep him sidelined for the entire AFCON.

#LCFC | Enzo Maresca tells me that Wilfred Ndidi has picked up an injury, that’s why he was absent today.

Both Ndidi and Iheanacho are set to join up with Nigeria tomorrow it Enzo stressed that neither are currently fit enough to play.
— Owynn Palmer-Atkin (@OwynnPA) January 1, 2024

Wilfred Ndidi out, Alhassan Yusuf in

Although there is no official confirmation from Leicester City and the Super Eagles yet, multiple credible sources report that Ndidi will not be a part of AFCON 2023.

Wilfred Ndidi will miss AFCON 2023 for Nigeria due to injuries. (Photo Credit: Leicester)

The veteran was one of only five midfielders selected by Jose Peseiro for the tournament and his experience would have been valuable for the Super Eagles in their quest to do it again.

This is a big blow, I don't know how I feel about it. He will be a big miss in Cote d'Ivoire for Jose Peseiro and the team.

ScoreNigeria report has confirmed Wilfred Ndidi will miss the AFCON due to injury. Alhassan Yusuf will replace Ndidi.

No official statement yet. pic.twitter.com/EkBbgdab7Z
— Adepoju Tobi Samuel 🇳🇬 (@OgaNlaMedia) January 2, 2024

He will now be replaced by Alhassan Yusuf, the Royal Antwerp who has never played for the Super Eagles of Nigeria before but now has the chance to make a real impact in Ivory Coast.

The Super Eagles are camping in Dubai ahead of the AFCON and are in Group A where they will fac off against hosts Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea.