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The Super Eagles have been dealth major injury blows ahead of their international friendly against Algeria on September 27 at the Oran Olympic Stadium.
PUNCH Sports Extra takes a look at the list of injured players who are set to miss the highly anticipated friendly against the Riyad Mahrez-led side.
Victor Osimhen
Most expensive African player and last season’s Serie A Young Player of the Year, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is arguably Nigeria’s best striker and his work rate will be sorely missed by the Eagles against The Fennecs.
Napoli confirmed that the 23-year-old suffered a second-degree hamstring injury during their 4-1 win against Liverpool in their opening Champions Leaugue fixture and will be out for four weeks
Umar Sadiq
Sadiq is expected to miss the remainder of the 2022/23 season as a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament he suffered in Real Socided’s 2-1 La Liga defeat to Getafe last weekend.
The striker’s injury has considerably limited Peseiro’s choices in attack as the 6’5 striker was expected to be a shoe-in to replace Osimhen in the side following the the Napoli man’s injury.
However, Monday’s report from Sociedad confirming Sadiq’s lengthy sideline spell has now forced the Eagles coach to look elsewhere.
“Sadiq underwent surgery this morning. The operation was successfully carried out with no issues. He will remain in the hospital until Friday or Saturday, depending on his evolution,” the White and Blue tweeted.
Semi Ajayi
West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday ruled out Ajayi defender for six weeks after picking up a knee injury.
The 28-year-old centre-back sustained the injury in the Baggies EFL Championship clash against Wigan Athletic in August.
“Semi has had an operation, We’ve listened to specialists and they’ve advised us that was the best thing to do going forward,” West Brom manager, Steve Bruce told a press conference ahead of his side’s clash against Birmingham City.
We’re expecting him to be out for another six weeks but these things can change.”
Kenneth Omeruo
Omeruo’s participation in Oran was made impossible after he picked up an injury in the 74th minute while playing for Leganes in their 1-0 defeat to Las Palmas last Friday.
It was the first time this season that the 28-year-old would fail to complete the 90 minutes of a league game for the Cucumber Growers.
Reports in Spain reveal that the former Chelsea man will be unavailable for two weeks.
Losing two high profile central defenders would cause a selection headache for Peseiro who now only has Ajax’s Calvin Bassey match-fit amongst his potential picks.
The duo of Leon Balogun and William Troost-Ekong are lacking in match fitness while this also presents the opportunity for Valentine Ozornwafor to receive a call-up.
Akinkunmi Amoo
Following a serious injury, Danish club Copenhagen confirmed last Tuesday that Akinkunmi Amoo would be ruled out of action for nine to 10 months.
The youngster picked up the serious injury during Copenhagen’s training match ahead of their weekend fixtures against Silkeborg.
It remains to be seen if there will be any fresh call-ups from Peseiro as the Eagles prepare to face the Foxes as the absentees offer opportunities for some players like Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika and Antwerp’s Alhassan Yusuf to secure their first cap for the Nigerian national team.
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