Yusuf, who was originally named in the Super Eagles’ 41-man provisional squad was dropped after it was pruned down to 25
By Kehinde Okeowo
Royal Antwerp midfielder, Alhassan Yusuf has been named as the replacement for Wilfred Ndidi who pulled out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after sustaining an injury.
Yusuf was originally named in the Super Eagles’ 41-man provisional squad for the competition but was dropped when the list was pruned down to 25.
He is now expected to leave Belgium and join the Super Eagles at their Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, camp on Wednesday.
It’s the first time the midfielder has earned a call-up to the Super Eagles.
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Ndidi sustained an injury prior to Leicester City’s 4-1 win against Huddersfield Town on New Year’s Day.
The 26-year-old who has featured for Nigeria at two AFCON finals was subsequently replaced by Yusuf.
Meanwhile, Ndidi’s clubmate, Kelechi Iheanacho, who is also nursing a muscle injury, is expected to join the Super Eagles camp before the start of the AFCON.
Nigeria began preparations for the tournament expected to take place in Cote d’Ivoire in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on January 1.
Peseiro’s men are in Group A with hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.
They will start their quest for a fourth AFCON title against Equatorial Guinea on January 14.
