'It's quite unfortunate' - Eguavoen speaks on two key players suspended for Ghana vs Nigeria

Former Swansea City striker André Ayew will not be at the disposal of manager Otto Addo for Ghana's back-to-back matches against Nigeria in the 2022 World Cup playoff.

The Black Stars captain is serving a suspension following the red card he received in a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations clash against Comoros.

In the same vein, Nigeria's caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen will not be able to call upon one of his key players Alex Iwobi, who is suspended after he was red carded in a round of 16 match versus Tunisia during the tournament in Cameroon.

Eguavoen noted that Ayew would have liked to play both matches and added that Iwobi will be supporting the team from afar.

Asked if it gives him relief that Ayew is not on the Ghana roster, Eguavoen told Ghanaian journalist Juliet Bawuah : "It's quite unfortunate the young man will be missing both games and I'm very sure it's the kind of game he wants to play as well being the captain.

"But it is what it is, Iwobi is also not coming, he's a player we are also going to miss a lot but that is not the focus right now.

"The focus is on play with people that we have and just work out and try to win the game because Iwobi remains part of us, he's going to be there with us in spirit not physically."

Andre Ayew is presently in Kumasi to support his teammates ahead of their doubleheader against Nigeria.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel