Dele-Bashiru Injury Poses Challenge for Super Eagles Coach

Super Eagles coach Éric Chelle is dealing with a setback regarding midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. Dele-Bashiru, 25, has been a consistent presence for Nigeria since Chelle's appointment.

However, he suffered a thigh injury during Lazio's first game of the season against Bologna, which raised concerns about his availability. Although there were initial reports suggesting he might return to full training soon, Radio Sei Lazio has confirmed that he will require additional time on the sidelines.

Consequently, Dele-Bashiru will miss Lazio's upcoming match against AC Milan, a significant loss for manager Gennaro Gattuso, as his work rate is crucial in midfield. With the international break approaching, Dele-Bashiru is unlikely to join the national team, forcing coach Chelle to consider alternative midfield options, especially with Tochukwu Nnadi also unavailable due to a knee issue.