Eguavoen: Chukwueze and Bonke Still Being Monitored, No Pressure Ahead of Match v Ghana

Samuel Chukwueze is a big doubt for the Super Eagles’ make or burst 2022 World Cup playoff match against Ghana on Tuesday after he missed training for the second straight day alongside Innocent Bonke.

Megasportsarena.com reports that Chukwueze and Bonke featured in Friday’s first leg clash which ended goalless but were substituted in the second half.

In the Eagles’ training session on Sunday Chukwueze did not take part and it was reported later that he has a slight groin injury.

And speaking ahead of the game, the teams interim technical adviser, Austin Eguavoen revealed that Bonke also sat out training on Monday as both players are under observation but stated that If the two players don’t recover in time for the game there are good replacements for them.

“Chukwueze and Bonke are under observation the result hasn’t come. Bonke is not participating in training this evening as well because he had a knock he overstretched himself in Kumasi you know he worked very hard in Kumasi and did so well.

“The medical team is still working on them it’s 24 hours before the game we are not going to risk anything. I’m expecting a report from medical team once they get that to me at 9pm tonight we will know if they will be in the pitch or not. But we have enough personnels in the team that can do the job.”

On the biggest task facing the Eagles, the former Nigeria international admitted it is converting every clear chances.

“The biggest question we must answer is to score goals if the opportunity comes. You know in high level match like this if you have the chance you have to take it.

“Ghana played very well, they are not a push over they are a team we respect and they respect us as well. There were no clear cut Chance for Ghana but we came close to scoring. So what we need to do tomorrow every chance we get tomorrow must count so scoring goals is what we are trying to correct.“

And on whether he is under pressure going into the game:”I’m not under any pressure. I’m representing all Nigerian coaches both old and young and we want to collectively be in Qatar.”