By Oluwashina Okeleji BBC Sport, Lagos

Kalu has got a groin injury

Poland-based Uche Kalu is the latest Nigerian player to pull out of their 2006 World Cup qualifier away to Angola on 20 June.

Kalu, who was called up in place of Perugia midfielder Christian Obodo, has failed to recover from a groin injury.

The Wisla Krakow player joins Obafemi Martins, Rabiu Baita and Ifeanyi Udeze, who have all been ruled out of the Nigeria squad through injury.

"Uche Kalu has a groin injury and will not be part of the squad going to Angola," the Nigeria FA secretary-general Taiwo Ogunjobi told BBC Sport.

"We spoke to him on the phone on Sunday and he told us about the injury, so we have subsequently excused him from the game.

"It's sad we are losing players to injury but hopefully the other players will fit in properly and ensure a victory in Angola," Ogunjobi said.

Angola will be pleased to see the back of nineteen-year-old Kalu after he scored against them in Nigeria's 2-2 draw.

The game was their crucial last match in the 2004 African Cup of Nations qualifying series.

Doubt also remains over the availability of captain Jay-Jay Okocha for the game.

"We spoke last weekend and Okocha gave his word that he would lead the team when he gets here from Europe.

"But at the moment we've not heard from him and we can only hope he'll turn up," Ogunjobi said.