Changchun Yatai of China forward, Odion Ighalo, has expressed his frustration after being ruled out of Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with South Africa.
A scan on Thursday morning showed that the Nigerian suffered a torn hamstring, which will keep him out of action for four to five weeks.
“I was devastated and sad throughout the night because I have planned for and was waiting for this game,” he told Kwese ESPN on Friday.
“We were all very upset that we lost that first game and everybody wants to play the game to make amends, but God knows best.”
Ighalo would have loved to travel to South Africa to cheer on his teammates but will be unable to do so.
“I can’t travel right now, unfortunately. But I believe in the boys and I know that they will do the job there,” he said.
Ighalo is the second major injury blow for Gernot Rohr’s side, after the loss of goalkeeper Francis Uzoho.
Henry Onyekuru has been promoted from the standby squad as a replacement for Ighalo, while Enyimba goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai replaces Uzoho.
The Super Eagles only need a point from their next two games to reach next year’s finals in Cameroon, while Bafana Bafana needs three.
However, Ighalo says the match is more than just about the points: “It is a very important game for us because we have missed two Nations Cups and we want this so bad. Also, we don’t want to lose to them again.”
