Three members of the Super Eagles squad called up by Eric Chelle during the September international window are currently sidelined with injuries, according to Soccernet.ng.
Victor Osimhen remains in rehabilitation after sustaining an injury-rangers-ucl-club-brugge/” title=”Cyriel Dessers … Latest: Key Update Ahead of Rangers' Crucial UCL Showdown with Club Brugge”>ankle injury in Nigeria’s narrow 1-0 victory over South Africa. Meanwhile, Dele-Bashiru of Lazio and Ola Aina from Nottingham Forest will miss the upcoming October international fixtures due to their respective injuries.
Dele-Bashiru is dealing with a tear in the femoral bicep of his right thigh, sidelining him for a minimum of four weeks. Ola Aina underwent surgery on his hamstring and is expected to be out of action until December.
Adding to the concerns, Club Brugge’s midfielder Raphael Onyedika was forced off during a thrilling 5-5 draw against Westerlo, raising fresh doubts about his availability.
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Onyedika Faces Hamstring Injury Concerns
The 24-year-old midfielder has been a consistent starter for Nicky Hayen’s Club Brugge this season, featuring in every match and playing a pivotal role in the team’s midfield setup.
Onyedika’s recent performances have been impressive, including scoring in Club Brugge’s commanding 4-1 UEFA Champions League victory over AS Monaco.
Despite the exhilarating 5-5 draw against Westerlo, Brugge’s coach Nicky Hayen expressed mixed emotions as both Onyedika and defender Brandon Mechele had to be substituted early due to injuries.
Onyedika was forced off after just fifteen minutes, visibly holding his hamstring.
“We will assess the severity in the coming days. Hopefully, it’s not serious, as both players provide crucial stability and defensive balance,” Hayen commented, as reported by Voetbal news.
Eric Chelle Faces Midfield Selection Challenges
With Onyedika’s recovery timeline uncertain, Eric Chelle’s options in midfield are becoming increasingly limited. Wilfred Ndidi is only recently returning from a thigh injury, and Dele-Bashiru’s absence further complicates squad depth.
In the attacking department, Chelle may need to rely on Tolu Arokodare and Cyriel Dessers, while potentially introducing a fresh face such as Kelechi Iheanacho, who has been enjoying a strong run of form with Celtic.
On a brighter note, Hull City’s Semi Ajayi is nearing full fitness, offering some relief to the Super Eagles’ defensive lineup.
For Club Brugge, a prolonged absence of Onyedika would be a significant setback, especially with crucial fixtures looming.
In the next month, Brugge will face tough opponents including Atalanta, Union Saint-Gilloise, Bayern Munich, and Royal Antwerp.
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