Blow for Nigeria as Kalu sustains injury

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Mar 16, 2021. 14:00

Nigeria international Samuel Kalu has picked up an injury ahead of the Super Eagles’ matches against Benin and Lesotho.

The Super Eagles will face Benin and Lesotho in their last two 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers on March 27 and March 30 respectively.

Kalu’s French club FC Girondins de Bordeaux have confirmed that the speedy attacker suffered a recurrence of a thigh injury in a Ligue 1 match against Dijon FCO on Sunday afternoon.

The 23-year-old was replaced by Nicolas de Preville just 16 minutes into the game as Bordeaux claimed a 3-1 win over Dijon at the Stade Gaston Gerard.

“For Samuel Kalu, it’s a [recurring] problem behind the thigh,” Gasset said on Goal.

Bordeaux are expected to assess Kalu’s injury ahead of their Ligue 1 clash with Montpellier HSC at the Stade de La Mosson on March 21.

Kalu is one of the eight forwards that have been included in Nigeria’s 24-man squad by head coach Gernot Rohr.

The Super Eagles need two points from their clashes with Benin and Lesotho in order to qualify for the 2022 AFCON finals.

Kalu, who is a winger by trade, has netted four goals from 18 Ligue 1 matches for Bordeaux thus far this season.

He has scored twice for Nigeria in 13 international games.