Striker Odion Ighalo has been ruled out of Nigeria’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa next weekend due to a hamstring injury.
The Nigeria international suffered the problem during the 2-2 draw at home to Tianjin Quanjian in the Chinese Super League.
The former Julius Berger, Lyn Oslo, Granada, Cesena, Udinese and Watford forward lasted just 17 minutes in the Chinese top flight game at the Changchun’s People Stadium on Wednesday.
Footballlive.ng understands the 29-year-old will need 28 to 35 days to recover fully.
The striker has netted five goals for Nigeria in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers and will be missed by Gernot Rohr in the next game against South Africa on November 17.
Super Eagles are top in Group E of the AFCON qualifiers, with nine points from four games.
Ighalo has scored 21 goals in 28 league matches for Changchun Yatai in the Chinese Super League.
He has netted 10 goals in 25 appearances for his country.
