AFCON 2021: Nigeria suffer a new major blow as another key player is ruled out

The three-time African champions have suffered another injury blow, with just less than three weeks before the start of the biennial competition 

Nigeria’s injury list keeps growing ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations after Paul Onuachu picked up an injury in Genk’s 1-1 draw against Royal Antwerp.

Onuachu scored his 12th league goal of the season in the clash, but he walked off with the aid of Genk’s medical team in the 71st minute after picking up a hamstring injury.

The injury is expected to keep him out for three to four weeks, which all but rules him out of the AFCON starting on January 9 in Cameroon.

Onuachu’s injury is a massive blow for Nigeria and their interim coach Austin Eguavoen, who replaced Gernot Rohr this month.

The Super Eagles are already without midfielders Oghenekaro Etebo and Kingsley Michael, while Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is currently a doubt. 

Onuachu would have been one of the players to come in for Osimhen should the ex-Lille man fail to recover fully from his injury.

But with the ex-Midtjylland striker now out, Eguavoen will need to find other alternatives. The former Gent defender can count on the likes of Ahmed Musa, Emmanuel Dennis and Kelechi Iheanachi, though.

Nigeria begin their AFCON campaign with a clash against Egypt on January 11 before taking on Sudan and Guinea-Bissau.