Peseiro reveals what Leicester coach and medical team told him about Iheanacho; all but one player in camp 

Nigeria manager Jose Peseiro addressed the media at a press conference on Saturday, on the eve of the Super Eagles' 2023 Africa Cup of Nations opening match against the Elephants of Equatorial Guinea.

The Super Eagles are aiming to win the AFCON for a fourth time but are facing an injury crisis with two players in their ideal starting lineup in the shape of Wilfred Ndidi and Victor Boniface pulling out of the squad due to injuries. 

A third player in Real Sociedad striker Saidq Umar has also withdrawn from the squad after suffering a knee injury in a friendly against Guinea on Monday. 

The Nigeria Football Federation have added Alhassan Yusuf, Terem Moffi and Paul Onuachu to the final squad to compensate for the absences of Ndidi, Boniface and Sadiq. 

Peseiro and his players woke up to good news on Saturday with the arrival of Kelechi Iheanacho and Paul Onuachu, bringing the total number of players in camp to twenty-four. 

The Portuguese football tactician has reiterated that Leicester City coaching and medical staff told him Iheanacho has fully recovered from his injury amid reports that suggested the striker was not yet fit. 

Providing an update on his squad, Peseiro stated: "About Kelechi, we spoke with Leicester for him to do the treatment and recovery there because Leicester have good conditions for recovery.

"He arrived this morning 4 am. He's completely recovered was the information I received from the technical staff and medical staff from Leicester.

"About Boniface's injury, Moffi arrives tomorrow 8 pm. Sadiq injury also, Onuachu arrived this morning at 4 am.

"Not good for them (the injured players) because they wanted to play in this competition. Sometimes they fight the clubs to come. Of course the European clubs prefer they stay back than come."
 

Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea will face off at the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium, with the game scheduled to kickoff at 1500 hours on Sunday.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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