Akpembe Retires Injured After Struggling With Shoulder Issues, The Nigerian Football Association (NFA) has announced the retirement of goalkeeper Emmanuel Akpembe after sustaining a shoulder injury in training on Tuesday.

Akpembe, who was part of the Nigeria national team squad for the upcoming World Cup, was injured while warming up during training on Tuesday at the Abuja Sports Stadium. He sustained a right shoulder dislocation and a torn rotator cuff, which necessitated surgery to repair the damage.

The NFA said that Akpembe's injury was not serious but he had to rest for some time before being able to return to play. However, his absence would be felt as the Nigeria national team is likely to have to rely on other players to fill the void.

Akpembe, 29, has been a key player for the national team since joining them from Italy in 2016. He has made over 40 appearances for the Nigeria national team and helped the team reach the quarter-finals of the African Nations Championship in 2018.

His retirement comes just two days after the retirement of goalkeeper David Poku, who also suffered a shoulder injury during training on Monday. Poku, 37, was unable to train due to a shoulder injury that required surgery.

In the wake of Akpembe's retirement, the NFA has called on fans and supporters to support their young keeper, who will now be missed by many. "We all miss him," the NFA said in a statement. "He has played an important role for the team and we wish him well in his recovery."

The NFA also thanked the medical staff and physiotherapists who treated Akpembe for his injuries. "They have done a great job in recovering our goalkeeper, and they deserve every bit of respect for their hard work," the NFA said.

Akpembe's retirement comes at a time when the Nigeria national team is expected to face a tough challenge in the ongoing World Cup qualifiers. They will take on Senegal, Egypt, and Jordan in three matches this month, and the result could determine their qualification for the tournament.

However, the NFA is confident that Akpembe will be back in the starting lineup by the end of the tournament. "We believe that he can still contribute to the team," the NFA said. "He is a key player for us and we want him to be back in the game soon."