Injured Yohanna backs Olympic Eagles to overturn Congo deficit

Injured Brighton and Hove Albion winger, Zadok Yohanna, has backed Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles to overturn their 2-0 first-leg deficit against DR Congo in the CAF U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, even though he is expected to miss the return leg.

The 2-0 defeat in Lubumbashi on Friday was the player’s first appearance for Nigeria’s U-23 team, and also his international debut.

He was forced off in the first half with an injury.

“Of course, with the quality the players have, I am really sure that they would win,” Yohanna said.

The return leg takes place at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, on Tuesday, November 17.

Yohanna did not take part in the team’s recovery session on Saturday morning. He is expected to travel from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to England on Saturday night for further medical assessment by Brighton, which would end his involvement with the Olympic Eagles.

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The summer signing had already missed the Seagulls’ last nine Premier League matches before the international window.

Yohanna described the debut as a proud moment.

“First of all, I give God the glory. It was a really proud moment for me and my family,” he said.

He also explained why he had not played for Nigeria earlier, after receiving his first invitation to the Super Eagles for the Unity Cup in London.

“I was really happy for the invitation, despite that this is not the first time. I have been invited before, but due to some problem of injury, I did not participate,” he said.

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