The last international break saw the senior national team of Nigeria play two international friendly games in Algeria, first with the B team of the north African side before playing the main team four days later.
They drew 2-2 with Algeria B and lost 1-2 to the main team. They navigated both games without the services of some players who were billed to play some parts during the course of both games.
OwnGoalNigeria.com takes a look at the players who have now fit enough to represent their respective teams when club football returns this weekend all around Europe.
Samuel Chukwueze – He was among the first to withdraw from the game citing a knock he picked up in Villarreal’s 1-1 draw against Sevilla. A game which he started and played for an hour before he was subbed off. Reports indicate that he is fit for the game against Cadiz on Saturday.
Our Findings: His medical report was sent to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and it showed he was indeed carrying a knock which required a ten day rest. Hence he is fit to play some role on Saturday
Henry Onyekuru – His case is very straightforward as in the game for Adana Demirspor against Antalyaspor he picked up a knock in the first half that led to his substitution one minute after the restart. There is still no report if he will be fit for this weekend game.
Leon Balogun – Reported as injured but recent reports suggest otherwise as we reliably gathered that he took permission to use the break in the United Kingdom following the death of the queen to move his belongings from Scotland, where he played for Rangers. He is now with QPR and isn’t listed among the injured players.
Emmanuel Dennis – Called up as a replacement for the injured Onyekuru. His decision to skip the game on the grounds of picking up a knock was confirmed by his team Nottingham Forest. However we gathered it wasn’t backed by any medical document unlike the case of Chukwueze.
Our Findings – Decided not to honour the game as he feels aggrieved that he was called up as a replacement when the final list was released. He was on the provisional list and felt slighted that he was only considered when Onyekuru pulled out. He is fit for the weekend game against Leicester City.
Wilfred Ndidi – His decision to skip the games came hot on the heels of reports that he will be played as a center back and not as a defensive midfielder. News which was first made public by OwnGoalNigeria.com, we can however confirm that it wasn’t the case. That he is fit for the game against Nottingham Forest made many to doubt the authenticity of the injury clams.
Our Findings: He came to the camp with a note from the medical team of Leicester City. Day two of training he felt something in his hamstring during warm up. He missed the entire session for that day and was taken for a scan, where it was confirmed that he has a strain which requires a minimum of five days to heal.
A decision was reached that he should return to England for proper treatment because risking it could see him miss a longer period of the season if the injury is aggravated.
William Troost Ekong – He left after the first game. Although he wasn’t expected to play the second game. Scans showed he is injured hence the decision to let him leave.