Nigeria defender Echiejile out of World Cup

Greece defender Loukas Vyntra, right, and Nigeria defender Elderson Echiéjilé leap for a header during the first half of an an international friendly soccer match, Tuesday, June 3, 2014, in Chester, Pa. 

Nigeria defender Uwa Echiejile is out of the World Cup with an unspecified injury.
The team said in a statement on Saturday from its training base in the United States that the Monaco left back had a muscle tear and needed three weeks to recover, not enough time to be fit for Nigeria's group games in Brazil on June 16, 21 and 25. The statement didn't elaborate on the injury. More pics after cut..



Echiejile will be replaced by Ejike Uzoenyi, who was in Nigeria's preliminary World Cup squad but was initially cut from the final 23. Nigeria said FIFA had been informed of the intended switch.
Coach Stephen Keshi was quoted as saying there wasn't enough time to wait for Echiejile to recover "so we have to replace him."

Nigeria's team coach Stephen Keshi arrives for the international friendly soccer match between Nigeria and Scotland at Craven Cottage Stadium in London, Wednesday, May 28, 2014. Nigeria will be in Group F in the upcoming World Cup in Brazil. 

 

Greece defender Loukas Vyntra, right, and Nigeria defender Elderson Echiéjilé leap for a header during the first half of an an international friendly soccer match, Tuesday, June 3, 2014, in Chester, Pa.