The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has announced that the international player Olubadan Akpembe has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to an injury sustained during the match against the Chinese side Shandong Luneng in the 2019 Nigeria Cup of Nations Qualifiers.

The NFF said in a statement that Akpembe had suffered a serious knee injury in the second half of the match and would require surgery. The player will undergo treatment at the National Institute of Sports in Abuja and is expected to be back on the field within the next few days.

Akpembe's absence will have a significant impact on the performance of the team as he was one of their key players during the tournament. The team was led by coach Stephen Keshi and played with great intensity throughout the competition, but his absence means that they will now rely on other players to fill the void.

The decision to retire from the game came after a long period of hard work and dedication. Akpembe had been involved in many matches for the national team and had shown a lot of skill and determination throughout the tournament. He was known for his strong performances and his ability to score goals for his teammates.

The loss of Akpembe is a huge blow to the team, but it also gives the rest of the squad time to find new ways to perform. The team has already begun training under the guidance of coach Stephen Keshi, who will use the opportunity to develop the young players and prepare them for the upcoming season.

Overall, the loss of Akpembe is a sad reminder of the importance of having experienced players like him in the team. While they may not be able to play alongside each other anymore, they will still contribute to the team's success and continue to make a difference.