The Walya Antelopes will be without the services of their top striker when they battle the Super Eagles on Sunday after all hopes to bring him back to fitness proved abortive.
Striker Getaneh Kebede Gibeto will play no part when Ethiopia host Nigeria in the first leg final play-off round of the 2014 World Cup qualifier billed for Addis Ababa on Sunday, according to BBC Sport.

Kebede picked up an ankle injury while playing for his South African club Bidvest Wits. Though the 21-year-old forward arrived in Ethiopia to team up with the rest of the Walya Antelopes squad, officials of the team have confirmed he would not recover in time to play against Nigeria after futile efforts to put him in shape.

Saladin Said Ahmed will now shoulder the responsibility of goal scoring with the absence of his strike partner who scored four goals in the group stages of the qualifying rounds.

Saladin scored twice when the two nations last met in Addis Ababa in 2011 during an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier that ended two goals apiece.

Meanwhile, Stephen Keshi's Eagles continue to intensify their preparations for the game at the Abuja National Stadium and will depart on October 11.