AFCON: Nigeria Confirm Injury Blow Ahead Of Sudan Tie

Nigeria interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen, speaking on Friday ahead of the AFCON tie against Sudan on Saturday, said Chidozie Awaziem had not recovered from an ankle injury.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles had their last training session at the practice pitch of the Roumdé Adjia Stadium in Garoua on Friday before their game against Sudan.

Eguavoen, while fielding questions from newsmen, clarified that Awaziem was nursing an ankle complaint that would see him miss Saturday’s clash against the Falcons of Jediane at Roumdé Adjia Stadium, Garoua.

NAN also reports that the Alanyaspor central defender has not been spotted in public since the final workout of the Super before they took on Egypt.

He also missed the team’s last two training sessions, fueling speculations in some quarters that he had tested positive for COVID-19.

Eguavoen expressed the hope that Awaziem would join his teammates in training.

“Hopefully soon, that is beyond my control. I think if the medical staff were here now they will certify him fit to be back on the pitch.

“Awaziem is still down, he has an ankle injury as I know and he is going to be back very, very soon,” the Nigeria manager said in confirmation that the key player would not be available for the AFCON tie against Sudan.

The former Porto star was not at the stadium during Nigeria’s opening game against Egypt on Tuesday, Jan. 11 and was also not part of the team’s training session on Friday (today).

Meanwhile, CD Leganes central defender, Kenneth Omeruo has been given a clean bill of health to face the Sudanese.

He participated fully in the training session after his injury-enforced substitution in the closing minutes of the match against Egypt.

Table-toppers Super Eagles on three points face Sudan on one point on Saturday from 5.00 p.m.

Egypt, who currently sit at the bottom of Group D table with no point, will be looking for redemption when they take on Guinea Bissau from 8.00 p. m.  (NAN)

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