AFCON 2023: Super Eagles midfielder Alhassan Yusuf ruled out of Ivory Coast encounter

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Alhassan Yusuf has been ruled out of Super Eagles clash against AFCON 2023 hosts Ivory Coast on Thursday, NRTC reports.

The Royal Antwerp midfielder played for 69 minutes during Nigeria’s game against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday before he got injured. He was later replaced by Joe Aribo.

Yusuf impressed a large number of the Nigeria fanbase during the game which was the nation’s AFCON opener.

ALSO READ: AFCON 2023: Traore, Sinayoko score in Mali’s win against toothless South Africa

After the game, he spoke about his optimism to feature in the next game against the Ivorians.

“I’m not going to train fully today, but I should be back in full training tomorrow,” Yusuf said on Monday.

“I’m getting better and should be available for the game against Cote d’Ivoire.”

However, Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has confirmed the 23-year-old player will not be available for selection tomorrow.

This was confirmed during the pre-match press conference held today. Peseiro responded to a question relating to Yusuf’s present state following a scan. The coach said the player won’t be ready for the Ivory Coast match but might be available for the subsequent game.

ALSO READ: AFCON 2023: The most notable tournament absentees

“Yusuf is out from tomorrow’s game, there are no other injuries, it’s a good news from Yesterday. But for this match, he [Alhassan Yusuf] is not ready, but the next game, he can be” Peseiro said.