AFCON 2021: Nigeria suffer a new major blow as another key player is ruled out

The three-time African champions have suffered another injury blow, with just less than three weeks before the start of the biennial competition 

Nigeria’s injury list keeps growing ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations after Paul Onuachu picked up an injury in Genk’s 1-1 draw against Royal Antwerp.

Onuachu scored his 12th league goal of the season in the clash, but he walked off with the aid of Genk’s medical team in the 71st minute after picking up a hamstring injury.

The injury is expected to keep him out for three to four weeks, which all but rules him out of the AFCON starting on January 9 in Cameroon.

Onuachu’s injury is a massive blow for Nigeria and their interim coach Austin Eguavoen, who replaced Gernot Rohr this month.

The Super Eagles are already without midfielders Oghenekaro Etebo and Kingsley Michael, while Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is currently a doubt. 

Onuachu would have been one of the players to come in for Osimhen should the ex-Lille man fail to recover fully from his injury.

But with the ex-Midtjylland striker now out, Eguavoen will need to find other alternatives. The former Gent defender can count on the likes of Ahmed Musa, Emmanuel Dennis and Kelechi Iheanachi, though.

Nigeria begin their AFCON campaign with a clash against Egypt on January 11 before taking on Sudan and Guinea-Bissau.

This post was last modified on December 20, 2021 6:26 am

Joba Ogunwale

Oluwajoba Ogunwale has many years of experience as a sports content writer. The most recent of these was at Opera News, after which he took up the role of Editor-in-Chief at Soccernet.

View Comments

  • Last week, I sought to understand Soccernet's penchant for biographies every time it reports on the current form of players? Is it necessary to remind us that Austin Eguavoen was a Genk defender; that Victor Osimhen was an ex-Lille forward; that Paul Onuachu was a former Midtjylland player? What value does this add to the report?

    • Lol.. But what's the problem you have with it? From my understanding, it's just to make reading smoooth to read and also provide a bit of knowledge. How many people knew Eguavoen played for Gent?

Share
Published by
Joba Ogunwale

Recent Posts

Report: Seven-time Europa League champions drop interest in signing Sadiq Umar

Seven-time Europa League champions have reportedly ended their pursuit of Super Eagles striker Sadiq Umar… Read More

13 minutes ago

FIFA rankings: Nigeria’s Super Eagles end 2024 ahead of Ghana, South Africa, Cameroon

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have ended 2024 ranked as Africa’s fifth-best team in FIFA’s latest global… Read More

26 minutes ago

Report: La Liga rivals eye Iheanacho January loan move from Sevilla

La Liga side Las Palmas are reportedly making a push to secure Super Eagles forward… Read More

5 hours ago

Report: Onuachu nears 3-year deal with Super Lig giants amid Trabzonspor interest

Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu is on the verge of signing a three-year deal with… Read More

6 hours ago

Bundesliga relegation fighters eye escape route for Gift Orban from Lyon

German Bundesliga club Hoffenheim are in advanced talks with Ligue 1 club Lyon for the… Read More

6 hours ago

Report: Super Lig giants Galatasaray begin talks to sign Nigerian striker

Reigning Turkish champions Galatasaray have opened talks with Lyon for the signing of former Super… Read More

7 hours ago