• African football

World Cup Qualifiers: Nigeria handed injury blow ahead of Ghana clash

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The Super Eagles will have to play without one of their defenders in the upcoming game.

Tyronne Ebuehi suffered an injury during Venezia’s 1-1 draw against Genoa on Sunday. The Super Eagles defender had just returned from an injury. However, he picked up a knock to his left leg after only 30 minutes and limped off the pitch.

The 26-year-old underwent tests to determine the severity of his injury during the next few days. However, the results have entirely ruled out the initial optimism around his injury.

According to the Serie A side, Ebuehi has a lesion in the semitendinosus muscle of the left leg. The club have not given an exact timeline for the defender’s recovery.

However, according to Calciomeracto, he might have to spend several weeks on the sidelines. The Italian source claims Ebuehi might not be able to travel to Nigeria for the next international break.

This is a massive blow for the Super Eagles, who are preparing to face Ghana in a crucial World Cup qualifier on March 25. Nigeria coach Augustine Eguavoen included Ebuehi in his squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

The defender, who is currently on loan from Benfica, featured in Nigeria’s 2-0 defeat against Guinea-Bissau. It was the same shock defeat that ended Nigeria’s well-started campaign.

However, the Super Eagles have already started their preparation for the crucial match against Ghana. Eguavoen has Torino’s Ola Aina as an alternative on his squad, while he can also consider Orlando Pirates’ Olisa Ndah, and Shehu Abdullahi as other options for the right-back position.

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