Belgium winger Jérémy Doku no go feature for their World Cup match against Iran on Sunday. The Manchester City star dey sick, and di Red Devils confirm am on Saturday for SoFi Stadium for Los Angeles area.
Coach Rudi Garcia no talk much about Doku condition, but dem believe say di player don dey fight respiratory problem for at least two weeks. Garcia talk say, “He can’t play, and so we’ll be playing without him. I knew since Friday evening that he won’t be playing.”
Garcia add say, “I don’t want to get players to play if they’re not medically up for the game. I can get players to play even if they’re not 100 percent physically, but 100 percent medically is more important. But I’m absolutely 100 percent sure we’ll be fine and we’ll be winning tomorrow.”
Doku start Belgium opening match against Egypt on Monday and play until 86th minute, wey dem draw 1-1. Reports say Doku leave practice early before dat match because of breathing issues. Garcia explain say, “He was fine, and he managed to play against Egypt. But since then, well, there are ups and downs in life, and the medical staff decided to take things a little bit further and help him recover.”
Doku don dey for spotlight recent days because e tell reporters say e go leave team if necessary for di birth of im first child during World Cup. Doku wife dey expect for early July, wey be knockout stages.
Garcia no say who go replace Doku for starting lineup, but e hint say Romelu Lukaku probably go be substitute again. Di 33-year-old striker miss nearly all of last season for Napoli because of hamstring injury. Lukaku, wey be Belgium career goals leader, enter match against Egypt for second half and immediately create chance wey lead to di tying goal.
Garcia say Lukaku still no ready to play full match. “We do need to be careful, because we could be tempted to play him more than he could. But the goal is to have him play to the end of the World Cup. We cannot wear him out early. And then there’s competition. As long as the others are fit to play, he can play a role as the super sub. It’s his role par excellence.”
“We also could have him start, but I’m not sure he could go further than 60 minutes. He’s not only a good striker for Belgium, but he’s one of the best in football, and it’s good to have him here. He missed many training sessions, so we’re happy to have him against all odds.”
Belgium dey 10th for FIFA world rankings, but dem need strong result against Iran to stay on track to win dia group after di surprising draw with Egypt. Di Red Devils go finish group-stage play against New Zealand on Friday.
