Lazio youngster Eddy Onazi is racing against the clock to get fit for Nigeria's participation at the Fifa Confederations Cup which  kicks off in Brazil this weekend.

The 20 - year - old central midfielder had to be substituted in the second half in Wednesday's 1 - 1 draw with Namibia due to injury.

This could add more insult to injury as several first teamers including Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike and Kalu Uche had to withdraw from the Confederations Cup roster citing poor physical conditioning.

''Due to the injury Onazi sustained in the game against Namibia, he has been ruled out of the squad that will be playing in the Confederations Cup.

''It is a serious injury he sustained, so the coaching crew have decided to replace him with either Obinna Nwachukwu or Kunle Odunlami,'' NFF Media Officer Ademola Olajire was quoted as saying by the online edition of Complete Sports.

Eddy Onazi, a product of My People FC, suffered a muscular injury about a month ago but Lazio medics gave him the green-light to join the National Team.