Wilfred Ndidi, a prominent football player for Leicester City and the Nigerian national team, did not participate in the national team’s first training session in Abuja on March 20.

Instead, he was seen with the team’s medical staff while his teammates trained.

Ndidi has struggled with injuries over the past year, causing him to miss seven out of eight possible appearances for the national team.

When questioned about Ndidi’s absence, the Super Eagles’ coach, Peseiro, explained that they maintain communication with the players’ club staff and were informed that Ndidi needed to rest to recover properly.

“We stay in contact with the staff of the (players) clubs, we created that relationship between us and the teams – with the coach, with the fitness coach.

“With that connection, they informed us that it is better Ndidi rests today to recover well. We keep that contact with them.”

Peseiro also clarified that only thirteen of the invited players participated in the first workout due to scheduling conflicts, but it will not affect their game plan for their upcoming match against Guinea-Bissau on March 24.

“Peseiro went on to explain why only thirteen of the invited players were involved in the first workout ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches, and stressed it won’t affect his game plan against Guinea-Bissau.

“It’s normal, some players played yesterday, they could not stay in the practice today. These players played two days before.

“With the schedule it’s impossible for the players to ioin the same time like the next camp. Some players arrive in the first day, some players arrive second day.”

Nigeria hopes to continue their winning streak in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

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