The senior national team of Nigeria will head into the final two games of the qualifiers for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations needing a win to seal a spot at the tournament which has been postponed to next year.
Group leaders Nigeria will face Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe respectively in their final two games of the qualifiers, where they have won three and lost one of the four games played so far, the last of which was a 1-0 win away to Guinea Bissau.
Ahead of the game against Sierra Leone, head coach of the team Jose Peseiro won’t be having the services of Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season. The 25 year old started the game in Abuja against Guinea Bissau which Nigeria lost 0-1.
“He’s not great, he’s got a tear in his adductor muscle. It’s significant enough. I’m not going to rule him out for the rest of the season but it will be tough to get him back. Hopefully we can”, coach of the troubled EPL side Dean Smith said.
“He’s disappointed, scored two goals and was putting in good performances. Like always, it gives opportunities for others.
“It’s a blow, he came on at half-time against Man City and did ever so well. He did well in the Wolves game, scored the penalty, and his all-round displays have been really good.”
Osas Mahawi
