Yusuf replaces injured Ndidi as doctors monitor Iheanacho

• 20 Eagles train in UAE
Wilfred Ndidi’s dream of featuring in his third Africa Cup of Nations was dashed yesterday when he was ruled out of the championship by an injury he copped while playing English Championship side, Leicester City, a week ago.

Ndidi has been a mainstay in the Super Eagles’ lineup, even captaining the team on some occasions, but Coach Jose Peseiro will have to pursue his ambition of winning the Africa Cup of Nations without the holding midfielder.

In Ndidi’s stead, Peseiro has invited Royal Antwerp midfielder, Alhassan Yusuf, who is in the 41-provisional list earlier named for the championship by the coach.

Also doubtful for the competition is Ndidi’s Leicester teammate, Kelechi Iheanacho. But the coaches say he is likely to be ready for Nigeria’s second game of Cote d’Ivoire 2024.

Reports from the team’s camp suggest that Iheanacho’s injury is not such that would rule him out of the competition completely.

The team had its first training session yesterday with about 20 players, following the arrival of the England-based Alex Iwobi, Joe Aribo, Ola Aina and Frank Onyeka.

Moses Simon, Ahmed Musa, Ojo Olorunleke and Kenneth Omeruo were the first to arrive in the team’s camp having travelled from Nigeria aboard an Egypt Air flight on Tuesday.

Also in camp are Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Bruno Onyemaechi, Chidozie Awaziem, Zaidu Sanusi, Victor Boniface, Raphael Onyedika and Bright Osayi-Samuel.

Samuel Chukwueze, who featured in a Copa Italia game for AC Milan on Tuesday, Francis Uzoho, Stanley Nwabili, William Troost-Ekong, Iheanacho, Victor Osimhen, Yusuf and Sadiq Umar were being expected to join the team yesterday.

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