Nigeria’s opponents in next week’s final Word Cup qualifier, Algeria have been dealt a huge blow following the injury sustained by defender Faozi Ghoulam.
The left back was injured in his Italian club Napoli’s Champions League defeat to English dub Manchester City at the San Paolo Stadium in Naples on Wednesday night.
Ghoulam was replaced just after the half hour mark with Christian Maggio after suffering what looked like a very serious injury.
He has since gone through scans to determine the extent of the injury and the club confirmed the fears of many on Thursday afternoon.
“Faouzi Ghoulam underwent tests this morning in Villa Stuart, Rome that confirmed a complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament on his right knee,” a message on the club’s website read.
Ghoulam will undergo a surgery on Friday after which the duration of his rehabilitation will be determined.
He was named in Algeria’s new manager Rabah Madjer’s 23-man squad for their final World Cup qualifier but will now certainly miss the Desert Foxes’ clash with group winners Nigeria in Constantine next Friday.
