Finidi sweats over fitness of 2023 AFCON star Onyeka before Super Eagles squad announcement 

Nigeria manager George Finidi is sweating over the fitness of 2023 Africa Cup of Nations star Frank Onyeka in the days leading up to his squad announcement for back-to-back 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa's Bafana Bafana and Benin's Cheetahs, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

Onyeka did not participate in Brentford's last two matches of the recently concluded Premier League season due to fitness issues. 

The defensive midfielder picked up a minor injury before the Bees visited Bournemouth in the penultimate round of matches in the Premier League. 

Finidi is facing an injury crisis before the World Cup qualifiers as he could have up to five players in his ideal starting lineup unavailable for selection due to a combination of injury and lack of fitness. 

Apart from Onyeka, Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze are racing against the clock to be fit for the double header, while William Troost-Ekong has not played in a competitive match for club and country since the conclusion of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. 

Porto left-back Zaidu Sanusi, Nantes winger Moses Simon and Empoli defender Tyronne Ebuehi are still recovering from long-term injuries and are not in contention to be summoned for the World Cup qualifiers. 

Onyeka was one of the unsung heroes as the Super Eagles reached the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, starting every game contested by Jose Peseiro's team during the tournament in Ivory Coast. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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