The senior national team of Nigeria is facing a mini injury crisis heading into the world cup qualifiers games against Rwanda and South Africa respectively, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Nigeria will go into the games in September hoping to breathe life into what has been a poor campaign so far, which has put them in danger of missing out on a second consecutive appearance at the world cup.
They have just one win in the qualifiers after six games, which they have prosecuted with three different coaches with Eric Chelle the one in charge now since the last round of games.
Chelle who led them to their first win which was the 2-0 away win over Rwanda, watched on as the team collapsed in the dying minute of the home game against Zimbabwe which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Heading into the next round of games in September, the coach will be without first choice centre back Semi Ajayi who will be out of action for six weeks, and he isn’t too sure of the match readiness of captain William Troost Ekong.
Ekong is working his way back to full fitness from the injury that ended his season prematurely in Saudi Arabia, and hasn’t played in any of the team’s pre season games so far.
He will likely play just one game, before travelling to the camp of the Nigerian team for the world cup qualifiers, meaning he will arrive the camp rusty from a lack of competitive game at club level.
The situation means the quartet of Chidozie Awaziem now at French Ligue 1 side Nantes, Gabriel Osho at Auxerre, Benjamin Fredrick at Belgium side FC Dender and Igoh Ogbu will likely play alongside Calvin Bassey in the heart of defence for Nigeria.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
