The senior national team of Nigeria will take on Rwanda and Zimbabwe respectively in the race to be at the 2026 world cup without the services of West Brom defender Semi Ajayi, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Ajayi who has been a regular for the past two years in the Super Eagles suffered a relapse in his second game after being out injured for three months. He is feared out for the rest of the season per multiple reports from news sources close to his club.
31 year old Ajayi missed the last two games in the AFCON qualifiers, where the team were held to a 1-1 draw and also beaten 1-2 at home by Rwanda. In his absence they conceded three goals from set pieces in two games.
Speaking on his absence , a player in the defence of the team revealed that Ajayi will be sorely missed because of what he brings to the backline in the area of defending aerial threats and also building from the rear.
” In the team no one had more interception like Ajayi at the AFCON. He is also very solid in aerial duels and that will no doubt make us to feel his absence the more. Among all the defenders he is the one that can easily and comfortably bring the ball out from the back to help build up. We will no doubt miss him”, he concluded.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman