Samuel Kalu, Ebuehi test positive for Covid-19, both out of Cape Verde clash

Super Eagles duo Samuel Kalu and Tyronne Ebuehi, will both miss the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Cape Verde due to COVID-19 diagnosis. Bordeaux winger Samuel Kalu first tested positive for Coronavirus last year and the latest information from the Super Eagles camp in Cape Verde is that he has again tested positive. Kalu was a late substitute for Moses Simon in Friday’s game against Liberia in Lagos. He is one of Coach Gernot Rohr’s favourite players and he was tipped to start tomorrow’s match for a Super Eagles team heavily depleted by the absence of seven players who started on Friday. Venezia defender Tyronne Ebuehi is the other Super Eagles player who turned in a positive test and has been ruled out of tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier in Mindelo, officials disclosed. However, both players have been mandated to undergo a second test tomorrow. Nigeria won’t be able to count on the services of the UK players, who have returned to their base due to the UK’s coronavirus restrictions. Also, Ola Aina has been excused due to family reasons. It leaves Rohr with just 21 players to choose from, although the number could reduce to 19 with Ebuehi and Kalu set to miss the game. Ebuehi was expected to replace Aina in the right-back position, but with his positive coronavirus test, Abdullahi Shehu is now set to come in for him. Nigeria face Cape Verde on the 7th of September at the at the Adérito Sena Municipal Stadium, in Mindelo by 2:00pm Nigeria time.