Ghana-Nigeria: Who could replace Wilfred Ndidi?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Some question why the utility man is still included in Nigeria squads, but could this be the moment when Shehu’s value is revealed?

He’s been used as a right-back in the past by the national side, but may now have the opportunity to take a role in the midfield where he would be charged with breaking up opposition attacks.

The Cyprus-based player missed the Afcon due to injury, but his hard-working style could potentially win over some cynics among Eagles fans.

Another player who hasn’t always been popular among Nigeria fans, Ajayi has struggled in the past when used in a midfield role, instead looking more consistent in the heart of the defence.

Indeed, this is how he’s being used by West Bromwich Albion this season, and while he’s less comfortable in possession than some of the alternatives—and more sluggish—his towering frame can make him a useful shield for the back four.

When Ndidi went down injured, Onazi must have thought that his opportunity to return to prominence within the national team setup was finally upon him.

A surprise—and much criticised—inclusion in the squad (albeit on the standby list), Ndidi’s injury was exactly the opening Onazi needed to force his way back into the reckoning.

However, Eguavoen’s decision to instead call-up Bonke—even though he hadn’t been in the original squad—suggests that he’s had second thoughts about restoring the veteran Onazi, a Nations Cup winner in 2013, back to the fold.

It’s a bitter blow for the 29-year-old—currently playing in the Saudi second tier—as he looks to build on his previous success with the national side.