President of Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick has revealed that Super Eagles missed the service of dependable Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi in their lackluster 1-0 defeat to African champions Algeria on Friday.
The Nigeria national team were a shadow of themselves when they clashed with the Desert Foxes of Algeria in a friendly international last week.
Ndidi, who was original named on the list, had to pull out after sustaining an injury required surgery.
Pinnick, who took to social media said although the game was not the best for Nigeria but he sees the future in the lineup and he hope for the best for the team in the future.
“Nigeria Vs Algeria – Not a great game but indeed a great future, truly we missed the super, imposing and majestic presence of Aribo, Etebo, Osimhen, especially, Wilfred Ndidi. In God we trust,” Pinnick said on social media.
Ndidi wasn’t the only central midfielder unavailable for selection, with Glasgow Rangers’ Joe Aribo and Stoke City loanee Oghenekaro Etebo also not involved against the North Africans due to injury, while Victor Osimhen was barred from reporting for international duty because the Napoli players were ordered into quarantine following three positive COVID-19 cases.
Against Algeria, the Super Eagles’ holding midfielders were lacking experience as it was the first time West Brom’s Semi Ajayi and FC Midtjylland’s Frank Onyeka played that role for the national team.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
