AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze will be absent from Nigeria's upcoming away match against Libya at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Benghazi, following his withdrawal from the Super Eagles squad. The winger, who was called up by interim coach Augustine Eguavoen despite a challenging season in Italy, has returned to his club due to an ankle injury.
Chukwueze, formerly of Villarreal, has been struggling for playing time under AC Milan's manager, Paulo Fonseca. However, he featured as a substitute in Nigeria’s recent 1-0 victory over Libya in Uyo, coming on in the 62nd minute to replace Frank Onyeka of FC Augsburg. Unfortunately, he experienced discomfort towards the end of the match.
As a precaution, Chukwueze opted out of traveling with the rest of the team for the away leg in Libya. Instead, he has returned to Milan for further medical assessment to determine the extent of his injury. The Super Eagles winger hopes to avoid a lengthy spell on the sidelines, which would only compound his difficult season at the San Siro, where he's found it hard to secure a regular spot in the team.
With Chukwueze unavailable, the Super Eagles have alternative options for the right-wing position. Players like Chidera Ejuke, Moses Simon, and Kelechi Iheanacho, though not natural wingers, may step in to fill the role in tomorrow's crucial match. The three-time Africa Cup of Nations champions are set to face Libya, with the game kicking off at 8 PM WAT.
