FC Taraba midfielder, Usman Mohammed and Abia Warriors forward, Chisom Chikatara are major doubts for Nigeria's Group C final game against Guinea at the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Tuesday.
Usman and Chikatara have been training separately since the game against Tunisia with the duo having to face late fitness test ahead of the game in Rubavu.
Super Eagles head coach, Sunday Oliseh says the condition of both players may force him to make changes in the line-up that started against Tunisia.
“We took Usman out against Tunisia because he had groin and felt pains. We have kept him on minimum work and we are hoping he can catch up with the game tomorrow. Chikatara is also working hard to be in good shape and we would check on them after the training and eventually will decide on how to use them in the game. That though is if they are available and if not we will move on from them,” said Oliseh at the pre-match conference.
Ikechukwu Ibenegbu, Ibrahim Salawu and Tunde Adeniji are probable replacement for the unfit players but the coach is hoping that they would have the full complement of the squad for the game.
“I hope we can have our 23 players available for the game but we have our game plan. We don’t need to worry much about what our opponents will do as we should be more concerned about our game. We played the favourite team (Tunisia) and we got a draw, we scored first which was the reason I said we lost two points.
“The boys have been tested enough in the championship and I’m not expecting anything short of victory and qualification to the next round. What we are aiming for tomorrow is qualification, it is our paramount objective at the moment and I’m optimistic,” he said.
The game is scheduled to hold at Stade Umuganda in Rubavu at 4pm local time (3pm Nigerian time) on Tuesday.