By Daily Sports Nigeria on May 29, 2024

Enugu Rangers left-back Kenneth Igboke has been called up by Super Eagles coach, Finidi George to replace Victor Osimhen, who has been forced out of the two crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic by injury, The PUNCH reports.

It was announced on Tuesday by the official X handle of the team that Osimhen, who featured in Napoli’s last Serie A game of the season on Sunday had picked up a knock which will leave him on the sidelines for four weeks while Igboke was called up to replace the Italy-based defender.

“Africa Player of The Year, Victor Osimhen is injured and out for four weeks. Super Eagles’ Coach Finidi George has called up Enugu Rangers’ left back Kenneth Igboke for the World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic” the post read.

Igboke’s inclusion takes the number of defenders on the list to seven and he also makes the number of Nigeria Premier Football League players in the squad three. Enyimba’s Ojo Olorunleke had been called while Remo Stars defender, Sodiq Ismail was handed his first call-up.

The 23-year-old Igboke has played 20 games for the NPFL leaders this season. scoring two goals plus one assist.

Nigeria hosts Bafana Bafana on June 7 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, before travelling to Ivory Coast to face Benin Republic on June 10.

The Eagles are third in the 2026 World Cup qualifying group with two points from two matches and need to win both games in order to get their campaign back on track.

Source Punch Ng

Posted May 29, 2024

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