Super Eagles Face Injury Crisis Before AFCON Qualifiers

The Super Eagles, under head coach Eric Chelle, are grappling with an injury crisis ahead of their opening fixtures in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers scheduled for September. Winger Yira Sor sustained a Grade 2B hamstring injury during Amedspor's match against Trabzonspor on August 29, which is expected to sideline him for approximately six weeks.

Sor had recently made his senior national team debut in March and completed a €3 million transfer from Genk to Amedspor. Additionally, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru suffered a thigh injury during Lazio's Serie A opener against Bologna, with a recovery timeline of at least three weeks.

Defender Semi Ajayi is also a concern after experiencing hamstring issues during Hull City's Premier League match, while Zaidu Sanusi was forced off early in Porto's game against Academico de Viseu due to a serious injury. Nigeria's first match in Group L is against Madagascar in Uyo on September 23, followed by a game against Guinea-Bissau in Morocco on September 27, leaving little time for recovery.