With injuries ravaging Nigeria’s top strikers like Victor Osimhen, Paul Onuachu and Tolu Arokodare, Head Coach, Eric Chelle, is going grey ahead of Super Eagles 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers starting next weekend against Madagascar.
Osimhen has been down with injury that has seen him sidelined in Galatasaray’s last couple of matches and is not expected back before next weekend. Onuachu on the other hand did not train with Trabzonspor squad on Tuesday and there is now fears that the gangling forward may be battling undisclosed injury.
Although Onuachu featured for Trabzonspor, playing the full 90 minutes in a goalless stalemate against Konyaspor, not training on Tuesday means he may not be in shape to play for Nigeria next week.
The Nigerian forward has endured a turbulent start to the campaign. He had to wait until the fourth match of the Turkish season to open his goal account, a milestone that came at the cost of a minor injury.
Arokodare’s availability for the Super Eagles’ September Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers has come under fresh scrutiny after Ajax coach Míchel Sánchez confirmed that the striker has been battling a fever.
Arokodare was left out of Ajax’s starting XI for Tuesday’s Eredivisie meeting with Willem II because of the illness. The 25-year-old was named among the substitutes, and spent the entire 90 minutes on the bench.
Sánchez’ men, however, did not need the Super Eagles striker’s help as the home team ran out comfortable 5-1 winners inside the Johan Cruijff ArenA.
Arokodare, though, will look to shrug off his fever ahead of Ajax’s next fixture against Excelsior on Saturday and the international break right after.
Eagles are expected to begin the race for the 2027 AFCON with the clash with Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on September 25 before going away to face Guinea-Bissau four days later in Match-day two fixture.