Super Eagles’ new coach George Finidi will be sweating over the fitness of as many as eight players as he prepares to release his list for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers next month.
It will be the 50-year-old’s first official squad announcement, but he will have to do without a few regulars and will also hope some recover in time for the matches next month.
With Nigeria in third place in Group C, Finidi would have hoped to have everyone available to field a full-strength side against Bafana Bafana and the Squirrels of Benin.
Finidi is expected to name his provisional squad for the two all-important games in June this week as Nigeria resumes World Cup qualification.
There are some regulars who have been out for a long time and will probably not play any football until next season.
FC Nantes winger Moses Simon’s season came to an abrupt end during Nigeria’s international friendly against Mali in the last international window held in Morocco.
Moses Simon #SoarSuperEagles #AFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/vJLHNNSrXe
The unfortunate incident occurred in the 33rd minute of the match when Simon collided with Mali’s goalkeeper while challenging for the ball but came off second best.
The collision was severe, resulting in Simon being unable to continue the game. Medical staff promptly attended to him on the pitch before he was carried off.
Following his exit, Nigeria’s coach had to make a quick substitution, bringing in Cyril Dessers to replace the injured winger.
Further medical examinations revealed that Simon had suffered a broken fibula, an injury that requires significant recovery time.
The diagnosis effectively ruled him out for the remainder of the season. The injury not only impacted Simon personally, but also poses a substantial setback for the Super Eagles.
Left-back Zaidu Sanusi, who plies his trade in Portugal with FC Porto, is another player who is definitely ruled out for the South Africa and Benin games.
Sanusi suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in February during a league game against CF Estrela, and his season has been cut off since then.
He was fouled in the 32nd minute and could not continue the game, and it was later diagnosed as an ACL injury.
This means Sanusi, who was part of the Super Eagles team at the last Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, will miss the rest of the season, and Nigeria’s World Cup qualifiers in June.
Empoli’s Tyronne Ebuehi is another player who will miss the upcoming qualifiers.
#newsheriffintown #FinidiEra #WelcomeFinidi #SoarSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/pqafcdMmqS
Though not a regular in the last 18 months, he has been reliable when called upon.
Ebuehi suffered the injury in March, which has kept him out of action since then.
The 28-year-old sustained the injury during Empoli’s Serie A match against Bologna. Empoli announced that the Nigerian defender had suffered a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, which has ruled him out for the season.
Ebuehi has had a torrid time with injuries in the last three years.
Finidi George will rue the absence of his captain William Troost-Ekong when the team converges for the World Cup qualifiers.
He managed to play throughout the tournament with the injury and was even voted the Player of the Tournament.
The 30-year-old went under the knife for an injury he sustained at the Africa Cup of Nations in February, which ruled him out for the remainder of PAOK’s season.
He underwent a successful surgery after suffering a ruptured biceps femoris in his right leg.
Even though he has returned to training at the club, Troost-Ekong has not regained match fitness and won’t be available for the Super Eagles qualifiers next month.
👮♂️| Captain Fantastic 🦅🇳🇬
• We all miss William Troost-Ekong, get well soon skipper. 🙌pic.twitter.com/dX5USHd3yR
AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze is another player who is injured and is in a race against time to make Finidi’s list.
He was withdrawn at half-time in Milan’s Serie A game with Cagliari as Milan ran away 5-1 winners.
According to reports from Italy, Chukwueze suffered some discomfort in his left thigh, and after more checks, it was revealed that he has suffered a first-degree injury to the biceps femoris muscle of his left thigh.
It remains to be seen if he recovers in time to be selected for the qualifiers.
Finidi George has a bit of good news in his hands as Boavista’s Bruno Onyemaechi, who was initially ruled out for the rest of the season has made a return to the pitch.
He was named in Boavista’s starting XI in their Primera League game, as they drew 2-2 with Vizela.
Finidi will be pleased with this development as the left side of defence is a bit depleted with Zaidu’s absence even though Ola Aina can also slot there.
Victor Osimhen was conspicuously missing from Napoli’s squad for the Serie A game with Fiorentina in the 2-2 draw.
It was later revealed that the striker had earlier complained of muscle pain and had to sit out training.
Osimhen had to sit out the game in Florence as he was being treated for muscle fatigue, but he is expected to be back in action for the Super Eagles next month.
Under former coach Jose Peseiro, the Super Eagles were only able to muster two points from six after drawing with Lesotho and Zimbabwe in their first two games.
It was a result that drew the ire of fans with some sections of the media calling for Peseiro’s head.
Even though a second-place finish in the Africa Cup of Nations has calmed frayed nerves, Nigeria will need to get good results in the next batch of games.
FT: Nigeria 1-1 Lesotho
The Super Eagles have started the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers with a stalemate. #54FootballxNigeruaWCQ pic.twitter.com/31ZGE7inVu
Bafana Bafana will be Nigeria’s next opponent in the qualifiers next month, which will be Finidi’s official bow.
A good result for him will go a long way in winning Nigerians to his corner, while anything else will set the alarm bells ringing.
The Super Eagles are third in Group C of the African qualifiers with two points.
Rwanda are surprise leaders in the group with South Africa in second place.
Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Benin follow suit respectively.
Andrew Randa is a veteran Nigerian sports journalist with over 20 years of experience covering the beautiful game across Africa. Andrew served as a Media Officer for Nigeria’s U-20 Men’s National Team for three years, offering a unique perspective on the future stars of Nigerian football.
Beyond reporting, Andrew is a pioneer in sports graphics creation within Nigeria. His expertise extends to sports kit design, making him a true multi-faceted talent in the African sports landscape.
Andrew’s experience is vast, with collaborations encompassing prestigious names like Kickoff, SuperSport, the NFF (Nigeria Football Federation), and the NPFL (Nigeria Professional Football League)
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