Injured Super Eagles stars recovering quickly for World Cup qualifiers
By Olaolu Joseph
Nigeria could have its complete squad ready for the crucial World Cup qualifying campaign next month as some of the injured Super Eagles regulars are close to full fitness.
Reigning African Player of the Year, Ademola Lookman, has returned to training with Atalanta after recovering from an injury.
Lookman is now expected to return to action later this month in time for Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
The 27-year-old forward, who has scored 14 goals and provided seven assists for Atalanta, missed the Italian side’s final group game in the UEFA Champions League at Barcelona last month after injuring his knee in training.
Elsewhere in England, Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi is closing in on a return to action after suffering a long-term injury in November.
A hamstring injury he sustained in the game against Cardiff City ruled him out of Nigeria’s 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda in November 2024.
He was expected to be out for four months, but West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Mowbray said he would assess the central defender’s fitness in an U-21 youth game.
