Finidi George and the Super Eagles will face the Eagles of Mali without the services of two important players in Calvin Bassey and Frank Onyeka.
The Super Eagles continued their preparations for Tuesday's international friendly against Mali in Marrakesh, Morocco with all players participating in training on Monday - except for two.
Pulse Sports Nigeria can report that interim manager Finidi George and his Eagles are expected to battle Mali without the duo of Frank Onyeka and Calvin Bassey.
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The midfield duo, who were standout performers for Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in January, have both left the team's training camp in Morocco.
Onyeka Departs for Personal Reasons
Onyeka has returned to England due to personal reasons after playing the full 90 minutes in Nigeria's 2-1 win over Ghana last Friday per reliable photojournalist, Tobi Adepoju, who is in Morocco.
The Brentford man was one of the Super Eagles' stars at AFCON 2023 as they finished runners-up to Cote d’Ivoire on home soil.
In the absence of Wilfred Ndidi, the 26-year-old proved to be a reliable soldier for former manager Jose Peseiro in the 34th AFCON.
Injury Rules Out Bassey
As for Bassey, the Ajax defender missed the Ghana clash through injury and has now departed Morocco as he continues his recovery.
The former Rangers man was another player who impressed at the Africa Cup of Nations for the Super Eagles earlier this year.
However, Finidi and Nigeria will have to complete the tour of Morocco without the Fulham superstar dubbed the ‘Nigerian Maldini’ by his admirers.
With Onyeka and Bassey absent, interim head coach Finidi George could hand opportunities to other members of his squad against Mali.
The three-time African champions are using the international window to ramp up preparations for the start of 2025 AFCON qualifying later in 2024.
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