Nigeria coach Augustine Eguavoen has confirmed first choice goalkeeper Maduka Okoye will not be available for the first leg tie against Ghana in the World Cup play-off.
The Super Eagles will play the Black Stars in a two-legged encounter with the winner securing one of the five slots on the African continent.
The first leg of the titanic qualifying tie will be played March 25 at the Baba Yara Stadium before the reverse encounter on March 29 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Ahead of the first leg in Kumasi, the Sparta Rotterdam shot stopper has been ruled out due to illness.
Giving an update, Eguavoen disclosed Enyimba goalkeeper John Noble has been drafted in as a replacement Okoye, but said the Sparta Rotherham goalie could join the team for the reverse fixture once he recovers.
He said: “I got a message from Maduka Okoye, that he is going to come but we have a backup in John Noble who is going to join us.
“If Maduka recovers and joins us there is no problem but we have Noble as a backup.”
Nigeria are expected to touch down on Thursday and will also hold a mandatory training that same day before Friday’s game.
Meanwhile, the Black Stars held their first training at the Baba Yara Sports stadium on Tuesday and will have two sessions on Wednesday.