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Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign has suffered a fresh setback after head coach Eric Chelle confirmed injury concerns over defender Ryan Alebiosu and striker Cyriel Dessers, with both players now facing uncertain futures for the remainder of the tournament, Footynaija.com reports.
Alebiosu, making his senior international debut, was taken to hospital following Nigeria’s 3-1 victory over Uganda on Tuesday in Fez, while Dessers is set to undergo scans on a thigh problem despite yet to feature at AFCON 2025.
The Super Eagles had already secured qualification for the last 16 as Group C winners before kick-off, allowing Chelle to rotate heavily, making eight changes to the side that edged Tunisia 3-2. However, the win came at a cost as Nigeria’s growing injury list deepened at a critical stage of the competition.
Blackburn Rovers right-back Alebiosu, formerly of Arsenal, was handed a surprise start in place of Bright Osayi-Samuel and delivered an assured performance on the right side of defence, playing the full 90 minutes as Nigeria maintained their perfect group-stage record.
Goals from Paul Onuachu and a rapid second-half brace by Raphael Onyedika sealed victory, while Uganda were reduced to 10 men after substitute goalkeeper Salim Magoola was sent off for handling outside his area. Rogers Mato scored a late consolation as Uganda finished bottom of the group and exited the tournament early. Tunisia and Tanzania progressed following a 1-1 draw in Rabat, with Tanzania reaching the knockout stage for the first time in AFCON history.
Despite Alebiosu’s strong showing, his tournament is now in doubt after sustaining a deep cut late in the match.
“It’s difficult to play, this is his first game in Africa, in AFCON, I am happy with what he did but I’m a little worried because he has an injury,” Chelle told reporters.
“When they [Uganda] scored the goal, he had a big… I don’t know the word in English but he went to the hospital. It’s open. His leg is open.
“I’m happy about how he played today and I have a lot of choice right now.”
Social media reports later confirmed the injury was a deep gash requiring hospital treatment.
Concerns are also growing over Panathinaikos striker Dessers, who is yet to make an appearance at AFCON 2025 and is expected to undergo a scan on Wednesday to assess a thigh issue.
Nigeria, however, have no suspension worries ahead of their last-16 tie against the third-placed team from Group F, likely Cameroon or Mozambique, in Fez next Monday, January 5. Several key players, including Stanley Nwabali, Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman, were rested against Uganda after carrying yellow-card risks.
Victor Osimhen started and played all but three minutes despite nursing a slight knock picked up against Tunisia, while also being one booking away from suspension. He avoided caution, as did Nwabali and Frank Onyeka.
The Super Eagles are already without Nottingham Forest right-back Ola Aina and Brentford defender Benjamin Fredrick, both sidelined through injury, leaving Chelle facing mounting defensive concerns as the knockout phase approaches.
