Super Eagles team news: Peseiro confirms Yusuf is out of Guinea-Bissau game but not ruled out of AFCON

Jose Peseiro has confirmed that Alhassan Yusuf is definitely out of the Nigeria versus Guinea-Bissau game - corresponding to both teams final game in Group A of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. 

Yusuf earned rave reviews from the media and fans for his battling display in the middle of the park on his competitive debut for the Super Eagles in a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea last weekend, but it came at a cost as he was stretchered off the pitch midway through the second half due to a muscle injury.

The Belgian-based midfielder has been undergoing individual training and is not in contention to make his second appearance at the AFCON against Guinea-Bissau. 

Peseiro has made it clear that Yusuf has not been ruled out of the Africa Cup of Nations, otherwise he would have been sent back to Royal Antwerp for further treatment. 

The Portuguese set up his team in a 3-4-3 tactical formation in the win against Ivory Coast so Yusuf was not missed much, with Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka operating as the double pivot while Zaidu Sanusu and Ola Aina occupied the wing-backs role. 

Providing an injury update, Peseiro said at the pre-match press conference on Sunday : "Yusuf did not train up till now, tomorrow cannot play. He started working on the pitch but not ready for the next match. 

"If our report says he cannot play anymore, he returns to Antwerp but no he can play.

"I have 25 players, when one is out injured I have others. I speak with him to recover well but the guys that can play tomorrow are more important."

Club Brugge star Raphael Onyedika and Southampton's Joe Aribo are options for the central midfield position if Peseiro decides to switch back to the 4-3-3 formation he used in Nigeria's opener against Equatorial Guinea. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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