The Super Eagles’ preparations for the final round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers have been thrown into disarray, with a series of injuries depleting their midfield.
Eric Chelle’s side, already battling inconsistency in recent games, now face the challenge of reshuffling their most crucial department just weeks before decisive fixtures.
Super Eagles’ midfield options hit by fresh injury blows
Lazio’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina, two important members of Chelle’s September squad, are both unavailable for the international break in October
Dele-Bashiru, a box-to-box midfielder, suffered a lesion to the femoral biceps in his right leg and is expected to be out of action for at least a month.
Aina, usually a versatile full-back who often steps into midfield roles, underwent hamstring surgery and won’t return to action until December.
Adding to Chelle’s woes, Raphael Onyedika, one of the most consistent defensive midfielders in Europe this season, has also picked up an injury during Club Brugge’s dramatic 5-5 draw against KVC Westerlo.
Onyedika was forced off just 16 minutes into the encounter, and Brugge conceded four goals after his exit.
Onyedika’s importance to club and country
The 24-year-old has been a key figure for Club Brugge this season, featuring in every league game so far.
His recent form saw him find the back of the net in Brugge’s 4-1 victory over AS Monaco in the UEFA Champions League.
Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen voiced his concern after the chaotic draw against Westerlo, where both Onyedika and Brandon Mechele had to be replaced.
“We’ll see how bad it is in the coming days. Hopefully, it’s not too bad, because they’re two players who bring stability and defensive balance,” Hayen told Voetbal News.
The Super Eagles now wait anxiously for updates on Onyedika’s fitness. His absence, coupled with Dele-Bashiru’s and Aina’s injuries, leaves Chelle with limited options.
A midfield puzzle for Eric Chelle
With Wilfred Ndidi only just returning from a thigh problem and still short of full match sharpness, Chelle faces the prospect of fielding an untested combination in midfield.
This setback comes at a time when Nigeria’s midfield depth is already a talking point.
Chelle may now be forced to experiment by calling up other options, possibly turning to more attack-minded players like Tolu Arokodare, Cyriel Dessers, or even recalling in-form Celtic forward Kelechi Iheanacho to provide attacking thrust.
The injuries have created a brand-new headache for Chelle ahead of the crucial final round of the World Cup qualifiers—a phase where every tactical decision counts.
The challenges don’t stop at the qualifiers. The Super Eagles are also scheduled to travel to the United States in November for back-to-back international friendlies—against Venezuela on November 15 and Colombia on November 19.
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