Nigeria’s midfielder, Alhassan Yusuf is is expected to sit out the crucial match against Cote d’Ivoire due to a thigh injury.

Yusuf, 23, sustained the injury during Nigeria’s recent 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.

While sources indicate that the injury is not severe, Yusuf not trained with the rest of the team since his substitution in the game against Equatorial Guinea, but the Coaches say it’s as a precautionary measure.

The player had a scan on Tuesday and head coach Jose Peseiro confirmed that the midfielder will be out of action for the forseeable future.

Alhassan Yusuf’s absence is a setback for Peseiro, who now faces the dilemma of having only one natural ball winning midfielder in the team.

Nigeria face Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday at the Stade Alassane Ouattara in Ebimpe at 5pm local time.