Nigeria’s AFCON 2023 clash against Guinea-Bissau marred by Alhassan Yusuf’s injury woes

Alhassan Yusuf, the talented midfielder, is set to miss the pivotal encounter against Guinea-Bissau in the ongoing AFCON 2023. The news was confirmed by the Super Eagles’ head coach, José Peseiro, who expressed concern over the player’s fitness.

The much-anticipated clash is scheduled for Monday, January 22, 2024, at 5 p.m. GMT at the Stade Félix Houphouet Boigny.

Despite undergoing training, Alhassan Yusuf, who sustained a thigh injury during the initial match, remains unavailable for selection, leaving coach Peseiro with a strategic void to fill.

Wilfred Ndidi, who is expected to replace Yusuf, faces the challenging task of stepping into the shoes of the injured midfielder.

Coach Peseiro revealed that despite Yusuf’s participation in training, he is not yet match-fit and, consequently, will not be part of the squad for the upcoming game.

The absence of Alhassan Yusuf has raised concerns among football enthusiasts, prompting questions about the severity of his injury and whether it could potentially rule him out for the remainder of the competition.

Coach Peseiro sought to allay these fears during a pre-match press conference, asserting that Yusuf remains in the team’s camp and is actively working towards a comeback.

“Alhassan Yusuf trained on his own, and he will not play tomorrow. He is working to come back. If he is out for the rest of the competition, we will send him back to Antwerp.

For the moment, that is not the case,” stated José Peseiro, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to reintegrate Yusuf into the squad.

This marks the second consecutive match that Alhassan Yusuf will miss in the competition, following his absence in the encounter against Ivory Coast on the last matchday.

The unfolding developments around Yusuf’s injury have added an element of uncertainty to Nigeria’s campaign in the AFCON 2023 tournament.