Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has moved to prevent a situation in which injured players end up making the final list of the Super Eagles to the World Cup, as the soccer governing body want to acquire medical updates on those who suffered recent knocks.
With critics raising eyebrows over the inclusion of recuperating players like Wilfred Onyinyen Ndidi, Tyronne Ebuehi, Oghenekaro Etebo, Leon Aderemi Balogun and William Troost-Ekong in the Eagles’ provisional list, the NFF have now charged the team doctor to get medical reports from their respective clubs.
Consequently, the NFF have opened a line of communication with Leicester City, ADO Den Haag and Las Palmas to provide a fitness updates on the players.
Eagles’ team doctor, Ibrahim Gyaran has already asked the clubs to provide details of the last game played by the players and duration of play, the medication and treatment for the injured players and if they suffered any other injury in the last six months.
This came after the NFF sent questionnaires to clubs of the affected players, in order to know the physical condition of the players before they report for international duty.
The Nigerian Federation can replace an injured player named in the Super Eagles squad 24 hours before their World Cup opener against Croatia and the replacement player does not need to be limited to the 30-man provisional roster.
Leicester’s Ndidi is expected to resume training with the Nigerian team on Saturday, May 26 as recommended by The Foxes’ medics.
He will, however, need 14 extra days to fully recover from a hamstring injury, meaning he is doubtful for the friendlies against Democratic Republic of Congo, England and Czech Republic.
Similarly, ADO’s Ebuehi has been out with a groin complaint for more than one month, while Las Palmas midfielder, Etebo was out of the squad that faced Eibar last time out, because of a muscle injury, but is expected back this weekend.
