Ahead of June 5 World Cup qualifier match against the Harambee Stars of Kenya in Nairobi, three members of the Super Eagles, John Ogu, Ogenyi Onazi and Brown Ideye have been reported injured and are doubtful for Wednesday, June 5 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Apart from the three players, Africa Cup of Nations top goal scorer, Emmanuel Emenike has been injured and ruled out of the qualifiers and the Confederations Cup scheduled for Brazil.
With the injury worries, Coach Keshi will have to make do without the services of the three key players who all played in Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Mexico in Houston.
According to reports from the team’s camp, the three players picked up knocks in the game and it is not yet clear if they will recover in time for the must win match on Wednesday in Nairobi against the Harambee Stars.
Coach Keshi has confirmed the players injury, but said he would speak to the team’s doctor before reaching a decision on whether to play the trio or immediately look for alternative measure as the match on hand is a must win for Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the world cup to be bright.
“I will find out from the team doctor but from what I saw with Brown, Onazi and Ogu, I do not think it is serious.”
Nigeria currently leads Group F of the African zone of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying on five points from three games.
Meanwhile, Keshi said yesterday that there is no reason to fear as the rest players in camp are capable of doing the damage, noting that the bottom line is for the team to beat Kenya and book a date with Namibia.
The NFF has explained why the game against Mexico was played with just days to Nigeria’s crucial 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying game against Kenya in Nairobi.
Executive committee member and technical committee chairman of the body, Christopher Green said it was important the game against Mexico was played at the time it was.
“You will not leave anybody in doubt about our (NFF) preparations for competitive matches. Now we have played against Mexico; tune-up games that will help the coach instill his philosophies as well as try new formations with the players ahead of the upcoming qualifying games against Kenya and Namibia.”
“It was obvious that several mistakes were made before that 1-1 draw against Kenya in Calabar and we wanted to ensure this does not happen in future.
“You also know that the Super Eagles have not played any competitive match since that game against the Kenyans about three months ago, so it is only proper that the boys integrate before they go straight into such a crucial qualifier against the Kenyans,” he said.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face the Harambee Stars in Nairobi on June 5 before proceeding to Windhoek to confront Namibia on June 12 in another World Cup qualifier.
The African champions will then round off a busy month’s programme in Brazil during the FIFA Confederations Cup.