The Flying Eagles of Nigeria dependable defender Lukman Zakari is an injury doubt ahead of their 2017 Africa Youth Championship qualifiers against Sudan.
Zakari played through the pain barrier in their last game against Burundi where he emerged as the man of the match but has only trained thrice since the start of preparations for the game against Sudan in three weeks time.
17 year old Zakari who signed a pre contract with Tunisian side Sfaxien missed the team’s 4-3 win over the Nigeria U-23s due to the injury although he was seen at the stadium going through his paces with the aid of the team doctor while the game was on.
In his absence the central defence duo of Ejike Ikwu and Samuel Opeh have so far lived up to expectation although coach Emmanuel Amuneke can’t wait to have Zakari back after his displeasure at the way they conceded thrice against the U-23s on Saturday.
A member of the U-17 winning team of 2015 he is rated as one of the best teen defensive prospect in the youth team set up of the Nigeria national team.
*Ahmed Ishaya
