Akpoguma tests positive for COVID-19, to miss Liberia, Cape Verde games

Kevin Akpoguma, Super Eagles defender, will miss the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde due to his COVID-19 diagnosis.

According to a statement from Hoffenheim, his German club, on Monday, Akpoguma tested positive for COVID-19 despite been vaccinated.

The 26-year-old became the second Super Eagles player after Frank Onyeka of Brentford to pull out of the two World Cup qualifier games.

“Kevin Akpoguma tested positive for Corona despite being fully vaccinated. He will not make the trip to the Nigerian national team and instead went into quarantine at home,” the statement read.

“Kevin Akpoguma is symptom free and is fine. In addition, all present players and members of the coaching and functional team were tested. All test results were negative.”

Seven UK-based Super Eagles players will miss out on matchday two of the World Cup qualifiers due to travel restrictions.

TheCable had earlier reported the resolution of the English Premier League (EPL) clubs not to grant players permission to go to countries listed on the UK’s COVID-19 “red list”.

Cape Verde is one of the countries listed on the UK’s COVID-19 “red list”, which means Nigeria will be without Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, William Troost Ekong, Alex Iwobi, among others for the clash.

“Premier League clubs have today reluctantly but unanimously decided not to release players for international matches played in red-list countries next month,” a joint statement by EPL clubs had read.

“The clubs’ decision, which is strongly supported by the Premier League, will apply to nearly 60 players from 19 Premier League clubs who are due to travel to 26 red-list countries in the September international window.”

Super Eagles are billed to begin the postponed World Cup qualification campaign on September 3 when they host Liberia before flying to Cape Verde for the second game of the group four days later.

The match against Liberia will hold at the Teslim Balogun stadium in Lagos state and will kick off by 5 pm (Nigerian time).