By Francis Ajuonuma
Ex-international, Patrick Udoh says the Super Eagles will miss the services of influential midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi when they take on the Black Stars of Ghana in a double-header 2022 FIFA World Cup play-off.

The Leicester City midfielder has been ruled out of the double-header after suffering a medial ligament injury against Rennes in the Europa Conference League on Thursday.
Ndidi is expected to be out for several weeks and could return to action next month.

Coach Udoh, while looking at the Super Eagles chances in the first leg of the doubleheader holding this Friday at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, said Ndidi has been an important player for the Super Eagles and his absence from the lineup will be felt by his teammates but was quick to add that coach Augustine Eguaveon should be able to have a right substitute for the former Genk player.

The former international believes that despite the absence of Ndidi, the Super Eagles should be able to come out of Kumasi unscratched.

“Certainly, Ndidi has been a very important player for the Super Eagles, very influential in the team, so he will be missed. but I want to believe that Eguavoen with his experience should be able to get a good replacement for his position.

“As we all know matches involving these two countries have always been tough. Be it in Accra or Kumasi. With the quality of players in the Super Eagles squad, they should be able to play at any stadium irrespective of the hostility the home fans might adopt.

“The Ghanaians are not going to be easy, especially playing in front of their home fans but I see the Super Eagles having an edge over their hosts,” Udoh said.

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The Black Stars will host the first leg at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on March 25, while the Super Eagles will host the reverse fixture four days later at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja with the winner on aggregate qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup final in Qatar.