Alhassan Yusuf replaces injured Wilfred Ndidi in Nigeria's AFCON 2023 squad

Wilfred Ndidi has 54 international caps

One of Nigeria’s experienced midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has been ruled out of the AFCON 2023. The Leicester City player has withdrawn his name from the squad.

Alhassan Yusuf of Royal Antwerp has been named as Ndidi’s replacement for the upcoming tournament in Ivory Coast. The 23-year-old Yusuf is uncapped but helped Royal Antwerp to the Belgian league title last season and competed in all their Champions League group matches between September and December.

The 27-year-old, Ndidi, was initially included in Jose Peseiro’s final 25-man squad for the AFCON, but it is now confirmed he will not be joining the Super Eagles camp in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, due to the injury.

The NFF also noted Kelechi Iheanacho’s participation in AFCON 2023 for Nigeria is still in doubt as the Leicester City forward hopes to join the team before the competition commences on January 13.

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So far, 17 players have arrived at the Super Eagles camp in Abu Dhabi as Nigeria prepares to win a fourth AFCON title when the competition kicks off in Ivory Coast.

Meanwhile, Napoli forward Victor Osimhen is yet to join the rest of the Super Eagles squad in their Abu Dhabi camp, as 17 players have turned up on the opening day of camping for AFCON.

Ahmed Musa, the team captain, was among the first to arrive at camp, and he was joined by fellow AFCON winner Kenneth Omeruo, Moses Simon, and Olorunleke Ojo, Soccernet reports.

Other players also in the Super Eagles camp include Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey of Fulham, Semi Ajayi, Joe Aribo, Frank Onyeka, Ola Aina, Chidozie Awaziem, Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi, Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, Raphael and Bright Osayi-Samuel.

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