Super Eagles: Why Iwobi, Iheanacho, Ndidi Will Not Play Against Cape Verde

Super Eagles Trio of Iwobi, Iheanacho, Ndidi is out of the Nigeria-Cape Verde World cup qualifier match.

Infoexpert24 learned that their absence is due to COVID-19 red-alert UK restrictions on the Island country.

Coach Gernot Rohr is worried because he will not have the services of all the Britain-based players, including Leicester City forward Iheanacho, who was ‘Man of the Match’ against Liberia.

Others who would not be available for Tuesday’s tie include defenders Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers) and William Ekong (Watford FC).

Iheanacho

The rest are midfielders Oghenekaro Etebo (Watford FC), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City), Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers), and striker Alex Iwobi (Everton FC).

”We are going to play with another defense, another midfield, and without the goalscorer (Kelechi),” said Rohr. “It is a challenge for the staff and the players. But we have to show our solidarity, and with the 20 players going to Cape Verde, we would be able to make a good team.

READ ALSO: EPL: UK Government Rejects Ronaldo ‘Special Status’ Request By Man United

But he admitted that they have a huge game in their hands against the Blue Sharks at Estadio Municipal Aderito Sena on the island of Mindelo.

“Some players are leaving because they cannot travel to Cape Verde, and it’s not going to be easy to build a new team in two days,” explained the 68-year-old Rohr. “We are going to play under two extreme conditions, after playing on heavy grass due to the rain (at the Teslim Balogun Stadium) and then another game on a dry pitch (against Cape Verde).”

Nigeria tops Group C following a 2-0 home win against Liberia at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos on Friday.