Francis Uzoho to miss Nations Cup qualifier as rib injury rules him out of action for four weeks

SUPER Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho has been ruled out of Nigeria's African Nations Cup qualifier against South Africa later this month after picking up an injury in a league that match that will keep him out of action for four weeks.

On November 17, Nigeria's Super Eagles are to face South Africa's Bafana Bafana at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, in their penultimate 2019 Nations Cup qualifier. Three days later, the team will them play a friendly against Uganda in Uyo as coach Gernot Rohr seeks to get the best out of his team during the Fifa international break.

However, Uzoho will now miss both matches after picking up an injury over the weekend during a league match with his club Elche. Yesterday, Spanish second division side Elche, confirmed that Uzoho will be sidelined for four weeks after suffering a fracture to the ribs during their heavy 5-1 defeat to Cadiz in Sunday's Segunda encounter.

Uzoho said: “Injury is part of the game and definitely not the best timing but there are things beyond us. So sad I won’t be there for my teammates for the next four weeks but they are more than capable to get the job done."

After Sunday's encounter, Elche confirmed Uzoho had suffered heavy concussion and was sent to the clinic where he later was discharged for further examinations. As a result of the injury, Mr Rohr has called up Enyimba's Theophilus Afelokhai to replace Uzoho.