IK Start of Norway midfielder, Afeez Aremu is out of Nigeria’s third place match against South Africa on Saturday, at the African U-20 Cup of Nations, due to a toe injury that also knocked him out of the semi-final.
Footballlive.ng reports that, in Aremu’s absence, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles lost on penalties to Mali in the semi-finals on Wednesday, but the ex-Akwa United of Uyo star has failed to fully recover from the setback.
Consequently, Aremu, who played 26 games in the Norwegian league last season and scored three goals, will not be in action for Paul Osahon Aigbogun’s side when they go for their rematch against South Africa.
Both sides battled to a goalless draw in their second group match of this championship, such that Aigbogun would have loved to have Aremu for the rematch, considering that he has experience at senior team level.
However, Aremu has not recovered from the knock he copped during training two days before the Flying Eagles’ match with Mali, and fears are rife that he could end up missing several matches with his club.
He is now in a race against time to recover for Start’s first match of the new season against Aalesund on March 30; before which they will face SK Brann, Haugesund, Jerv, Turku, Glimt and Strømsgodset in friendlies.
