Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign has already been thrown off balance as a string of injury withdrawals force coach Eric Chelle to rethink his squad ahead of the games against Lesotho and Benin.
Agu ruled out for months
Werder Bremen confirmed that full-back Felix Agu will be sidelined for several months after suffering a syndesmosis ligament injury in their 1–0 win over St. Pauli. (Daily Post) An MRI and X-ray confirmed the diagnosis, with Bremen’s medical staff exploring treatment options. (Daily Post) Agu’s absence means he will miss Nigeria’s upcoming matches against Lesotho and Benin. (Daily Post)
Other key absentees
Agu is not the only one unavailable. Nigeria are also without seasoned campaigners including Ola Aina, Raphael Onyedika, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, who were ruled out before the window opened. (The Guardian Nigeria) Aina’s situation is especially concerning: Nottingham Forest confirmed he suffered a hamstring injury while on national duty, with an estimated three-month recovery period. (Reuters)
Meanwhile, Cyriel Dessers and Bright Osayi-Samuel have also withdrawn from the roster due to injury issues. (ICIR News) As a result, Chelle has called up Zaidu Sanusi to replace Osayi-Samuel and Christantus Uche to fill in for Dessers. (ICIR News)
Coach Chelle’s balancing act
Chelle now faces a delicate balancing act. The injury list has weakened Nigeria’s defensive depth and attacking options, forcing the coach to mix experience with fringe players. (The Guardian Nigeria) Sanusi’s return is seen as a defensive boost: the Porto defender is coming off a long-term injury layoff of his own. (The Guardian Nigeria)
But with Agu out and Aina recovering, the full-back positions now rely largely on backups or makeshift solutions. (Afrik-Foot)
Stakes are high
These absences come at a crucial moment. Nigeria head into matches against Lesotho (October 10) and Benin (October 14) knowing every point matters in the fight for World Cup qualification. (The Guardian Nigeria) The disruption caused by injuries threatens to unsettle team cohesion just as Chelle attempts to consolidate his system.
Chelle remains cautiously optimistic. “We will do everything we can to get Agu fit again as soon as possible,” he stated. (Daily Post) He also noted that the squad must adapt to the setbacks and embrace the replacements called up. (The Guardian Nigeria)
Final thoughts
Injuries have become the Super Eagles’ unwelcome companion ahead of the critical World Cup qualifiers. The loss of Agu, Aina, Dessers, Osayi-Samuel, Onyedika and Dele-Bashiru will stretch depth and test Chelle’s roster decisions. As Nigeria attempt to navigate this storm, their ability to respond under adversity may prove just as important as form or tactical acumen.
If you like, I can also produce a shorter news-brief version or a spotlight on any specific player’s injury.
