Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle faces a significant midfield crisis ahead of next month’s crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe as two key players, Raphael Onyedika and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, have been sidelined with injuries, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Club Brugge midfielder Onyedika became the latest casualty after being forced off in the 23rd minute of his club’s 2-1 defeat at home to Standard Liege on Sunday, adding to Nigeria’s growing injury concerns with the pivotal fixtures just weeks away.

“Onyedika has to go off injured. Nielsen comes in his place,” the Belgian club posted via X, although the full extent of his injury remains unknown.

This setback comes on the heels of Dele-Bashiru’s ankle injury sustained during Lazio’s goalless draw with Venezia last weekend, where the in-form midfielder was substituted in the 41st minute after completing 24 of 26 passes and recording 30 touches.

Though initial reports from Italy suggest Dele-Bashiru’s injury is not severe, with the 23-year-old expected to miss only two matches – against Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia and AC Milan in Serie A – his availability for national duty remains uncertain.

The double blow leaves Chelle with only four fit midfield regulars for the must-win qualifiers – Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, and Alhassan Yusuf – with the latter himself just returning from a lengthy injury layoff.

Dele-Bashiru’s absence is particularly concerning as he had established himself as Nigeria’s preferred option in the number 10 role, filling a creative void amid criticism of Iwobi in that position. Iwobi has also enjoyed recent success playing with more freedom on the flanks in Fulham and recording his best ever output in a season in the still ongoing campaign with seven goals and three assists in 26 games.

Meanwhile, Dele-Bashiru, on loan from Turkish side Hatayspor, has been in outstanding form this season, contributing five goals and two assists in 23 appearances across all competitions.

Similarly, Onyedika’s injury creates a significant gap in defensive midfield, where he had become the team’s primary anchor. This is especially problematic given Ndidi’s evolution into a more advanced role at Leicester City this season and Alhassan Yusuf’s inconsistent performances in national colours.

Onyedika, who has made 14 appearances for Nigeria and scored once, has been instrumental in Club Brugge’s domestic and European campaigns this season, registering one goal and one assist in both the Belgian league and UEFA Champions League.

The midfield situation may force Chelle to consider recalling Southampton’s Joe Aribo to the squad after a prolonged absence. The 28-year-old, who has earned 34 caps and scored twice for Nigeria, last featured for the Super Eagles during the final of the delayed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, playing just four minutes as a late substitute.

The midfielder has shown decent form in the Premier League this season, scoring three goals in 25 appearances for Southampton, though he endured a difficult outing last weekend in an unfamiliar defensive role during his team’s 4-0 thrashing by Brighton.

Another option to be considered is Getafe’s Chrisantus Uche, who could earn his first Super Eagles call-up after an impressive breakout season in La Liga.

The 21-year-old has been one of the most consistent performers for the Spanish club, featuring in all their league matches this season and showcasing excellent ball-carrying abilities from box-to-box.


Uche recently scored his third goal of the season in Getafe’s 2-1 win over Girona, further cementing his status as one of the most promising Nigerian talents in Europe. His performances have already attracted interest from top clubs including Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Aston Villa, with Getafe reportedly placing a €25m price tag on him.

One of Nigeria’s best midfielders Ndidi has been struggling for form since returning from an injury.

Last weekend, Ndidi endured a torrid evening as Leicester’s Premier League survival hopes took another significant blow following their 4-0 thrashing by Brentford. The defensive midfielder played 77 minutes before being replaced as the Foxes suffered their sixth straight home defeat without scoring.

Fresh from an injury return, Ndidi has not been able to add to his four assists that he had in the first 10 games of the season in the Premier League.

The midfield crisis comes at the worst possible time for Nigeria, who sit precariously in fifth place with just three points after four matches, four points behind leaders Rwanda.

Victories in next month’s fixtures against the Amavubi in Kigali (March 17) and Zimbabwe (March 24) are crucial for the three-time African champions to reignite their qualification hopes.

After the two qualifiers in March, the Eagles will regroup in September and October for their remaining four games in the series before shifting focus to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where they have been drawn alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.


https://punchng.com/eagles-in-midfield-crisis-ahead-of-wcup-qualifiers/