AFCON 2023: Alhassan Yusuf out of Cote d’Ivoire clash – Peseiro

• The midfielder was substituted due to injury on Sunday during Super Eagles’ game against Equatorial Guinea
• The Royal Antwerp FC of Belgium defensive midfielder will only be in contention in the third match against Guinea-Bissau

The coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, has confirmed that Alhassan Yusuf is out of the match against host, the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, on Thursday at the Stade Olympique Alassan Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan.

Peseiro confirmed this on Wednesday at the team’s news conference ahead of Nigeria’s second match at the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

According to the coach, the Royal Antwerp FC of Belgium defensive midfielder will only be in contention in the third match against Guinea-Bissau.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the midfielder was substituted due to injury on Sunday during Super Eagles’ game against Equatorial Guinea, which ended 1-1.

The coach, however, confirmed that Napoli FC of Italy striker and reigning African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, would be available for the match against Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday.

The Portuguese also revealed that Leicester City of England playmaker Kelechi Iheanacho was close to playing, while Terem Moffi, OG Nice FC of France striker, was catching up with the rest of the squad as expected.