Posted by By Oluwashina Okeleji on
Nigeria defender Joseph Yobo will miss the 2008 African Cup of Nations qualifier away to Niger on 17 June after failing to recover from a back injury.
Nigeria defender Joseph Yobo has an injured back
Nigeria defender Joseph Yobo will miss the 2008 African Cup of Nations qualifier away to Niger on 17 June after failing to recover from a back injury.
The 26-year-old suffered the injury during Nigeria's qualifier at home to Uganda on 24 March.
But the defender, who plays for English premier side Everton, aggravated the injury during the Super Eagles' 2-1 loss to Uganda on 2 June.
"I've made frantic effort to shake off the injury but it is more severe than I first thought," Yobo told BBC Sport.
"I played with the pains all through the game in Kampala and now need to rest it and wait to recover fully.
"The doctor says it could get worst if I keep pushing myself with it or playing through the pain killers.
"It's rather unfortunate that I will be missing the game against Niger, however, I'm confident that my colleagues will not let the country down in Niamey."
It will be the first time in four years that Yobo will be missing a game for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
He has been present in all Nigeria's game since the 2004 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia.