Super Eages’ burgeoning midfielder, Babatunde Michael, has undergone a successful surgery on his fractured wrist and has since returned to the team’s camp base in Campinas, ahead of the trip to Brasilia for the second round duel against France in Monday.
Though his teammate, Ogenyi Onazi, whose shot did the damage, jokingly said that Babatunde obstructed his goal-bound shot.
“I swear that was a sure goal if not for Tunde’s interfering hand; I wish him quick recovery.
“Unfortunately, he is ruled out of the tournament because it will take at least three weeks for that surgery to heal,” he said.
Head coach Stephen Keshi told team’s media officer, Ben Alaiya, adding that Nigerians should not fret over the development as there were capable replacements for the player.
“It’s not looking good that he will feature again in the tournament, we are sad about that but we have people who can fill in for him very well and I think we have to go and win for him now,” Keshi added.
The player has since joined his teammates in Campinas ahead of the trip to Brasilia for the second round game against France.
The national team boss also dispelled insinuations that he has any personal issues with Victor Moses, hence he was not being featured.
It’s purely medical. My last child is older that Moses, so why will I quarrel with my son? People must find out facts and not speculate especially when we have a capable media person in our midst.
The coach then added that Moses had a muscle strain that was discovered by the team’s medics after the first game against Iran and he was advised to rest it so that he can come out better in subsequent games.
“We can understand that all players want to play at the big stage but it’s up to us and the medical team to manage their career and balance it with due diligence regarding their health and that is why we have not played him,” he said.
It would recalled that Moses, who was expected back in training yesterday, watched the last game from the stands with technical officials and was not dressed for the encounter but he looked ready to join the fray in the game against France.
