Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have suffered a setback ahead of the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, with defender Marvelous Freedom ruled out of the tournament due to injury.
Freedom, who features for Ikorodu City in the Nigeria Premier Football League, sustained a knee injury during training.
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Medical assessments confirmed he will not recover in time to feature at the competition.
The central defender, who was a key part of Coach Aliyu Zubairu’s plans, received a warm farewell from teammates and officials. In an emotional moment.
He was presented with a signed No.20 jersey, symbolizing the team’s appreciation of his contributions.
Freedom is scheduled to return to Nigeria on Thursday.
Head coach Zubairu acted swiftly to bolster his defensive options, calling up Wikki Tourists defender Haruna Aliyu as a replacement.
Aliyu is expected to arrive in Chile on Friday morning and will immediately link up with the rest of the squad as preparations enter their final phase.
Meanwhile, the Flying Eagles wrapped up their 12-day training camp in Santiago on Wednesday evening with a rigorous two-hour session at the Cancha training pitch. Nineteen players trained under the watchful eyes of Coach Zubairu and his assistants, with the session running from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm local time (9:00 pm to 11:00 pm Nigerian time).
The camp, which began earlier this month, has focused on tactical drills, fitness conditioning, and team cohesion.
According to the technical crew, the players have responded positively and appear ready for the challenges ahead.
The Flying Eagles are scheduled to move to Talca City in southern Chile on Thursday morning.
They will continue their preparations there as they set their sights on their opening Group Stage fixture against Norway on Monday September 29
