Captain of the U-20 team of Nigeria Kelechi Nwakali didn’t train with the rest of his teammates in preparation for the return leg of their Africa Youth Championship Qualifiers against Burundi.
The captain who has already agreed a deal to join English Premiership side Arsenal in the summer was at the training pitch and was about to join the rest of his teammate in training before he was stopped by the team doctor.
After a short chat witnessed by Owngoalnigeria.com correspondent he left the pitch and watched the rest of the session from the stands alongside John Lazaruz who has failed to shake off the knock that lead to his substitution in the first leg tie against Burundi over the weekend.
Unlike Lazaruz there was no clear cut reason why Nwakali didn’t train but we gathered he is expected to be fit for the return leg tie which will take place in Calabar on the 1st of June.
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However we gathered his exemption from training is a precautionary measure taken by the doctor to prevent him from aggravating an existing concern regarding his readiness for the return leg.
Nigeria currently hold a 1-0 lead against their U-20 counterparts from Burundi after winning the first leg tie in Bujumbura thanks to a goal from midfielder Chukwudi Agor.
*Ahmad Ishaya