Head coach of Nigeria, Stephen Keshi, has decided to leave out the striking pair of Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Moses from Thursday’s training session ahead of the 2013 Afcon final against Burkina Faso on Sunday.
Reports say Keshi was propelled to take the decision after they suffered knocks in their 4-1 semifinal win at the Africa Cup of Nations over Mali in Durban on Wednesday.
According to Supersport.com, the team’s doctor, Ibrahim Gyaran, advised the coaching crew to excuse the duo from Thursday’s training to allow them undergo tests.
While Emenike is expected to resume training with the rest of the squad by Friday after he showed signs of recovery from cramps, Moses will have to wait till late Thursday to know the extent of his injury after a scan.
Keshi had informed journalists during Wednesday’s post-match conference that he will have a clear picture on both players by Thursday.
“We will know about that, probably (on Thursday). The doctor will have to go and do some scans so we will know better,” Keshi said on Wednesday.
“Hopefully, it’s not that bad. We will play (our next game) on Sunday. We just pray to God because we need everybody in the team. We are keeping our fingers crossed.”
The match against Burkina Faso’s Stallions this Sunday is the first time the Super Eagles of Nigeria will play in the tournament’s final game since 2000 when they lost to Cameroon as co-hosts.