Chidozie Awaziem likely candidate to replace injured Troost-Ekong against Ghana

Oviri Kelvin, Sports Editor, Abuja

William Troost-Ekong may miss the World Cup playoff with Ghana with growing speculation on Alanyaspor’s defender Chidozie Awaziem to replace the Watford player.

Troost-Ekong, who was dropped from the Watford squad alongside his fellow African compatriot Ismaila Sarr by Roy Hodgson in the weekend clash against Arsenal, picked up a muscle injury that he is presently nursing.

Prior to this development, Troost-Ekong was included in the Super Eagle’s 32-man provisional list to face the Black Stars of Ghana on the 25 and 29 of March for both legs of the World Cup qualifying contest.

However, his presence for the Super Eagles is in doubt with Awaziem likely to fill up the void.

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Awaziem featured for Alanyaspor for the first time this year in a March against Kayserispor in Turkey Super Liga at Kadir Has Stadium

In the match, Alanyaspor presently 5th on the league table came from behind to win the 3-2 to maintain its pursuit of the third and fourth-placed Basaksehir and Fenerbahce respectively.

Awaziem who grew through the youthful ranks of Porto before being sold to Boavista for €5m has undergone a series of loan spells in Portugal, Spain, and now in Turkey.

The central defender has featured for Alanyaspor fourteen times this season recording a goal and a yellow card to his name.

Moreover, Ayaziem was included in Super Eagles squad in the Total Energies AFCON tournament in Cameroon but was unable to feature in the games against Egypt and Sudan due to ankle injury.

However, with Troost-Ekong presently out due to muscle injury, the Turkish defender is likely choice to step in his stead.