Nigerian striker Victor Boniface indicated on Monday that he will miss the Africa Cup of Nations this month due to a groin injury he sustained during training.
The 23-year-old Bayer Leverkusen player will be out for up to six weeks, according to local media, after being injured during his nation’s final warm-up friendly against Guinea on Monday.
“Good luck to all of you. Best wishes for the afcon @ng_supereagles to all of you, Boniface posted on Instagram.
With 10 goals in 16 league games this season, he is Leverkusen’s top scorer in the Bundesliga.
Since making his debut on the international scene in October, Boniface has amassed four additional caps.
According to reports from Nigerian media sites, Moffi has been nominated to replace Boniface. Moffi was included in the first 40-man provisional list but was left out of Jose Peseiro’s final 25-man roster. But this move needs his club’s approval and is awaiting CAF clearance.
His injury follows the recent withdrawal of Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, who sustained an injury during Leicester City’s 2-0 victory over Cardiff City on December 29.
Injuries are plaguing Ndidi’s Leicester teammate Kelechi Iheanacho as well. The striker is still being evaluated in Nigeria’s training camp, but it is anticipated that he will be ready for the tournament, which gets underway on Saturday.
Nigeria will begin their Cup of Nations campaign against Equatorial Guinea in Group A on Sunday. They will then play hosts Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau.