The Super Eagles may have been hit with a major blow ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March after Fisayo Dele-Bashiru injured his ankle while in action for Serie A club Lazio on Saturday, Footynaija.com reports.
Dele-Bashiru, who has been sparsely used by Lazio boss Marco Baroni in the Serie A this season, was making his first start in four league games. However, the Nigerian midfield star saw his time on the pitch cut short to just 41 first half minutes following an injury to his ankle.
After the match, Baroni confirmed that Dele-Bashiru will be unavailable for Lazio’s upcoming fixture against Serie A leaders Inter Milan and will undergo additional tests to assess the exact extent of the injury.
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“He has a sprained ankle, he twisted in the tackle. He felt a sharp pain when he kicked. Tomorrow (today) we will do tests, he will definitely not be available for San Siro , we will see for the next one again,” Baroni said as quoted by Radiosei.
News of Dele-Bashiru’s injury will certainly cause some worry for the Super Eagles hierarchy as Eric Chelle and his back-room staff need all of the nation’s stars fit and firing in order to successfully navigate their must-win World Cup qualification matches in March.
The former Manchester City youth player received a call-up to the Nigeria national team in October 2023. The 24-year-old scored in his second appearance for Nigeria during a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against South Africa.
As Chelle prepares to announce his squad for the qualifying games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe respectively, the Super Eagles boss will be keeping a close eye on Dele-Bashiru’s recovery, hoping the midfielder regains fitness in time to strengthen Nigeria’s midfield options.
