Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman has joined Ola Aina and Stanley Nwabali in the list of first team players to miss Nigeria’s clash with Rwanda on Monday.
The 27-year-old winger suffered a knock during the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw against Benin Republic on Thursday night.
Lookman was released from camp on Saturday night and has returned to his Serie A club, Atalanta, for further treatment on the injury.
Aina sustained a minor injury against Benin Republic, while Nwabali was granted permission to leave camp following the death of his father. The absence of these key players presents Coach Augustine Eguavoen with selection challenges.
READ MORE: After Ola Aina, another key Super Eagles player to miss Rwanda clash
Nigeria, already qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, seeks to maintain momentum and consolidate their position atop Group D. Rwanda, eager to spoil Nigeria’s party, will present a formidable challenge.
Despite the setbacks, the Super Eagles’ depth should mitigate the absence of Lookman, Aina, and Nwabali. Coach Eguavoen will reassess his strategy, possibly tweaking formations or assigning new roles to existing players.
Maduka Okoye, returning from a two-year hiatus, is poised to replace Nwabali in goal. Okoye’s experience and skill will be invaluable in ensuring the Super Eagles’ defensive solidity remains intact.
The match against Rwanda holds significance, as Nigeria aims to end the qualifying campaign on a high note. The Super Eagles have demonstrated resilience and determination throughout the qualifiers.
With Okoye’s return and the team’s collective strength, Nigeria is well-equipped to overcome Rwanda. The team’s defensive solidity and attacking prowess make them favorites to win.
Nigeria’s focus now shifts to the main tournament, where they will seek to make a lasting impact. With a strong squad and Coach Eguavoen’s tactical acumen, the Super Eagles are poised for success.
The Super Eagles will look to conclude their qualifying campaign on a positive note, despite the absence of key players. With their depth and talent, Nigeria is confident of securing a convincing victory against Rwanda.