The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that Henry Onyekuru will now replace injured striker, Odion Ighalo for the Super Eagles clash against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa next weekend.
This news is coming after Odion Ighalo announced via his social media that he has been ruled out for 4 to 5-weeks due to a hamstring injury he sustained during their game at the Chinese Super League a few days ago.
Henry Onyekuru who was earlier placed on a stand-by list for the South Africa clash, will now take over the position and lead the Super Eagle front-line for the all-important AFCON 2019 qualifiers on November 17 in Johannesburg .
Ighalo explaining his injury, had said:
“I pulled my hamstring..“I am going to out for four to five weeks due to the hamstring injury. I sustained it in our home game yesterday.
“Things like this happen in football and I have accepted it.
“So, sad that I won’t play against South Africa in our Nation’s Cup qualifier next weekend, and I was already looking forward to the match but God knows best.
“But I believe in the team to beat South Africa in their backyard,” he said.
“I’ll be supporting them all the way.” He said.
Nigeria so far, has won all their games with Seychelles and Libya, and Odion Ighalo was instrumental in these games, especially that of Libya, where he scored five goals in two games for the Super Eagles. The away game in Morocco against Libya was crucial, as his effort after both teams were leveled at 2-2, his solo effort in the last minutes of the game, saw Nigeria take home all 3-points to top the group.
Nigeria will be looking to go to South Africa, and take home all 3-points, as FIFA/CAF third best ranked team, will be a serious test for the South Africans come November 17th, 2018