Ghana-Nigeria: Who could replace Wilfred Ndidi?

How can the Super Eagles replace the injured Leicester City man?

Getty ImagesWilfred Ndidi out

Nigeria will have to make do without influential midfielder Wilfred Ndidi for their upcoming World Cup qualifying double header against Ghana after the Leicester City star suffered an injury ahead of the bout.

There were initial hopes—after Ndidi went down against Stade Rennais—that his injury wasn’t too serious, but a knee problem now reportedly threatens the rest of the midfielder’s season.

With no chance of the 25-year-old featuring against Ghana in Nigeria’s upcoming World Cup playoff, GOAL’s Ed Dove runs through five candidates who could replace the influential Foxes star.

AdvertisementNFF MediaInnocent Bonke

A surprise omission from the squad in the first place—particularly considering his fine recent form in Ligue 1 since signing for FC Lorient—Bonke has been invited to the squad by Augustine Eguavoen as he looks to find a replacement for Ndidi.

Bonke has already featured for Nigeria during this qualifying campaign—against Cape Verde—and will be desperate to prove his value to the new Eagles coach after initially being overlooked.

GettyOghenekaro Etebo

A different kind of player to Ndidi, lacking the Leicester man’s positional discipline or defensive rigour, although Etebo still has a lot to offer the Super Eagles and bring to the heart of the park…albeit in a modified capacity.

He’d be a risk to start against Ghana, having been a surprise inclusion in the squad when Eguavoen’s team was originally announced.

Etebo suffered injury late last year—missing the Nations Cup as a result—and has only played 17 competitive minutes since late September.

Getty ImagesFrank Onyeka

The most likely replacement for Ndidi is Brentford’s Onyeka, who is the most similar in playing style to the Foxes man.

Onyeka only featured for a quarter of an hour during the Nations Cup, as he watched Ndidi anchor the midfield for the Eagles, but may now have a golden opportunity to make his mark in two high-profile fixtures for the West African giants.

Unlike Etebo, he hasn’t encountered any injury problems in recent months, although there may be some concern that he’s only featured for just over 100 minutes in the Premier League since the Nations Cup.