Super Eagles Media Officer Toyin Ibitoye has admitted that the national team will miss Chinese-based striker Odion Ighalo when they face South Africa on match day five of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The former Watford star was forced to pull out of the squad on Thursday morning after scans revealed that he suffered a hamstring injury which will keep him on the sidelines for 4-5 weeks.

Nine players classed as strikers by the Nigerian Federation have been named to the 23-man squad and Ibitoye has mentioned the players that can replace Ighalo in the starting lineup against Bafana Bafana.

''Onyekuru has been called in to replace Odion. Success Isaac is back in shape, starting games and scoring goals in the Premier League,'' Ibitoye told Channels Television Sports on Thursday morning.

''Moses Simon is also back in the team, Samuel Kalu also had a good game when we faced Libya in Uyo, then the young lad from Villarreal, Chukwueze is also coming into the team plus Alex Iwobi.

''The captain Ahmed Musa has become a crucial member of the team with his performances in the last couple of games, so there are lot of options.

''Victor Osimhen is also coming back, he's scoring goals and playing regularly. It is for us to focus on what we have to do.''

Nigeria will qualify for their first Africa Cup of Nations since 2013 if they avoid defeat in Soccer City on November 17.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel