Rohr Provides Injury Updates On Osimhen, Emmanuel Dennis, Chukwueze; Key Defender Fine

Nigeria are attempting to whip Samuel Chukwueze into shape ahead of their trip to Freetown for the return leg of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone.

Manager Gernot Rohr has confirmed allnigeriasoccer.com's report that the Villarreal winger suffered a groin-related injury during yesterday's match against the Leone Stars.

The German football tactician might have to look for options within the squad to lead the line, with Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Club Brugge's Emmanuel Dennis suffering from shoulder and ankle injuries respectively.

One piece of good news on the injury front has to do with the availability of a key player in the form of Leon Balogun, with Rohr revealing that the Rangers defender is not in danger of missing the return leg in Freetown.

Providing an injury update on the squad, Rohr told reporters, including allnigeriasoccer.com: "The two players I put out because of injury - Balogun had a little knock, he's okay, he could do little training today, he's not painless but he'll be okay.

"Osimhen probably will be out, he has a luxation of the shoulder so I think it will be very difficult for him to be there in Freetown.

"Dennis got a little injury in the last training session so his ankle is swelling, and he cannot play, he only can run.

"The last one is Chukwueze, he has pain in the groin, and could only walk a bit this morning but we hope to get him back for the next game."

Nigeria will aim to get back to winning ways when they face Sierra Leone at the National Stadium in Freetown on Tuesday, November 17.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel