As Nigeria gears up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, the participation of Leicester City’s formidable duo, Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho, hangs in the balance.
Missing from last night’s victory over Huddersfield, Ndidi and Iheanacho’s absence raises concerns, with Iheanacho sidelined due to a muscular issue in the Foxes’ recent Championship fixtures.
As the Super Eagles commence their camp in Abu Dhabi ahead of the January 13 kick-off, both players are yet to join the squad, casting doubt on their availability. A statement from Leicester City indicates that Ndidi and Iheanacho are unfit for the upcoming tournament.
Leicester boss Enzo Maresca revealed Ndidi’s injury, suffered after the win at Cardiff, makes him a doubtful prospect for the tournament. Although slated to link up with Nigeria this week, there’s no assurance of his fitness.
Iheanacho too remains a question mark after missing the last two squads for Leicester City. The duo’s potential absence adds a challenging twist to the Super Eagles’ AFCON preparations.
Nigeria head coach Jose Peseiro will be hoping his star duo pass any late fitness tests ahead of the tournament. Ndidi and Iheanacho are two experienced stalwarts and their absence would be keenly felt.
In a dazzling display against Newcastle United last night, Mohamed Salah showcased his prowess as he missed a first-half penalty, only to bounce back with a second half brace.
Additionally, he played a crucial role in Cody Gakpo’s goal, propelling Liverpool to the top of the Premier League with 45 points in 20 games. Reflecting on his performance, Salah, speaking to Sky Sports, expressed determination to improve, a scary thought for a player so good.
Looking forward to AFCON, Salah voiced his ambition for continental glory, stating, “I want to win this competition, I would love to win it.” He emphasized the significance of representing the national team, saying, “Every time I step on the field with the national team jersey, it is something I cannot take for granted.”
Despite his departure, Salah exuded confidence in Liverpool’s squad, stating, “I am sure the players will manage to win games. We have fantastic players, really good quality, they just need to keep the pressure away and play their football.”
Salah’s outstanding performance further solidifies his exceptional season. He now departs for AFCON with the joint most goals (14) in the Premier League and the joint most assists (8) provided this season.
As Salah heads to the international stage, Liverpool sit comfortably atop the league, filled with optimism for the remainder of the season. If the Egyptian can translate his sizzling form onto the continental stage then the Pharaohs could go all the way.
The seven times champions of Africa of course suffered heartbreak in the last edition of the tournament when a Sadio Mané inspired Senegal pipped them on penalties in the final.
For all of Salah’s brilliance, he is still haunted by a failure to win with his country. He suffered yet more final heartache in 2017 when the Pharaohs again lost in the final, this time going down to an 88th minute Vincent Aboubakar winner for Cameroon.
Egypt hold the record for most AFCON titles but their last triumph was back in 2010. Coach Rui Vitoria will be pinning his hopes and that of the entire nation on Salah when the tournament kicks off in Côte D’Ivoire on January 13th.
Leicester City’s 19-year-old winger, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, has made a bold career move, prioritising his club commitments over international duty for Ghana in the upcoming AFCON.
Currently on loan from Sporting CP, Fatawu has impressed in the Championship, contributing to seven goals (1 goal, 6 assists) in his last eight matches. His consistent performances have earned him a regular spot in Enzo Maresca’s side, making a strong case for a permanent move to Leicester City.
Despite facing challenges in Portugal, Fatawu’s determination to succeed in England is evident, fueled by his dream of playing in the prestigious Premier League. He draws inspiration from fellow Ghanaian Mohamed Kudus, who has made a significant impact at West Ham United.
With Leicester comfortably leading the Championship by eight points, Fatawu’s decision to focus on his club career appears justified, especially considering his limited involvement in the Black Stars’ setup.
Fatawu’s journey reflects the resilience of a young talent navigating the complexities of European football. His struggles in Portugal have been overcome through perseverance, finding a pathway to England via the Championship.
As a 19-year-old, he is positioning himself to secure a future in the best league in the world, showcasing his potential to be a key player for Leicester upon their inevitable return to the Premier League.
The decision to skip the AFCON may have weighed heavily on Fatawu, but his lack of significant playing time in the previous international break influenced his choice. In the most recent international break, Fatawu remained an unused substitute against Madagascar before featuring for just 9 minutes against Comoros.
Why sacrifice a burgeoning role at Leicester for a tournament where starting opportunities are uncertain? This calculated move could prove beneficial for both Fatawu and Ghana in the long run.
If he maintains his current form, Fatawu could follow in Kudus’s footsteps, not only realising his Premier League dream but also contributing to the growth of Ghanaian football on the international stage.
Senegalese midfielder Pape Sarr has stirred concerns in his homeland after sustaining an injury during Tottenham Hotspur’s home clash against Bournemouth.
Despite impressively opening the scoring in the 9th minute, the 21-year-old was substituted just after the hour mark due to an unspecified injury. Sarr, a dynamic box-to-box midfielder in excellent form under Ange Postecoglou, was poised for a standout performance in his debut AFCON competition.
His emotional departure, marked by tears, raises significant worry for Senegal coach Aliou Cisse. Senegal awaits anxiously as Sarr undergoes scans in the upcoming hours and days to assess the extent of the injury.
Three-time African champions Nigeria are the latest nation to release their full squad list for the upcoming AFCON tournament in Côte D’ivoire. Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro’s squad is of course headlined by reigning CAF Men’s Footballer of the year, Victor Osimhen.
The Super Eagles will be aiming to go all the way to lift their first continental crown since their 2013 success in South Africa. Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi unfortunately misses out through injury but Nigeria are chock full with talent in attack. They still possess enough firepower to scare their rivals.
SQUAD IN FULL:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabili, Francis Uzoho, Leke Ojo.
Defenders: William Troost-Ekong, Bright Osayi Samuel, Ola Aina, Zaidu Sanusi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Chidozie Awaziem, Kenneth Omeruo.
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Joe Aribo, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi.
Attackers: Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Ahmed Musa, Sadiq Umar.
The Super Eagles’ first game at the tournament is slated for January 14th against Equatorial Guinea. They will then face hosts Côte D’Ivoire on January 18th before finally wrapping up group A on January 22nd when they come face to face with Guinea Bissau.
