Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has revealed that Galatasaray winger Henry Onyekuru will replace Alex Iwobi in the starting lineup against Lesotho on Tuesday evening, if the Everton winger returns a second positive coronavirus test.
The former Bayern Munich defender more or less confirmed allnigeriasoccer.com's exclusive report on Saturday that Iwobi was previously named in the starting XI to face the Republic of Benin before Onyekuru was asked to fill the void following an unfavorable test result.
This website has been told that Iwobi is in good spirits while he waits for the outcome of his latest test results.
"We are also waiting for the result of the COVID-19 test from Alex Iwobi, if he's negative he can play, if not we'll play again with Henry Onyekuru on the left hand side like we did the other day," Rohr said at the end of Monday evening's workout at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
Rohr pointed out that Nigeria have not lost a World Cup or Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match on the pitch for close to three years and is targeting a win against Group L's bottom team Lesotho.
"We are happy to have spectators from Lagos for the match, I think there will be seven thousand fans and players will give the best.
"Last training session was okay and I hope that tomorrow we will finish well these qualifiers.
"Since June 2017, we didn't lose any qualifying game so we want to finish well with a good match and if possible with a good victory.
"But we never underrate any opponent, we know that Lesotho have a very good defence, they made some 0-0 in the qualifiers and they don't have anything to lose, so the match will not be easy but we are ready for a good fight and a good football match," the German added.
"Last training session was okay and I hope that tomorrow we will finish well these qualifiers.
"Since June 2017, we didn't lose any qualifying game so we want to finish well with a good match and if possible with a good victory.
"But we never underrate any opponent, we know that Lesotho have a very good defence, they made some 0-0 in the qualifiers and they don't have anything to lose, so the match will not be easy but we are ready for a good fight and a good football match," the German added.
Onyekuru was originally named in the Super Eagles standby list for the AFCON qualifiers but was added to the roster after Bordeaux winger Samuel Kalu withdrew from the squad due to a combination of injury and his French club blocking him from traveling to Africa because of coronavirus concerns.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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