Raphael Onyedika has received positive news after suffering a late shoulder problem during Eintracht Frankfurt’s 2-2 draw with SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga.
Onyedika
That is good news for Super Eagles head coach, Erik Chelle who named Onyedika in his 24-man squad for the AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
The 25-year-old midfielder needed treatment after a late challenge in the closing stages of Saturday’s match at Deutsche Bank Park, raising concern over his availability for Nigeria’s upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Onyedika started in midfield for Eintracht Frankfurt against Freiburg and played almost the entire match before the shoulder problem appeared in the final minutes.
The incident came in the 91st minute when Onyedika was involved in a duel with Freiburg substitute Lucas Höler. The Nigerian was left in obvious pain after hurting his shoulder and needed attention on the pitch.
Onyedika was able to continue and see out the closing moments before the final whistle. The match itself ended 2-2 after Frankfurt twice took the lead.
LigaInsider, citing the Wiesbadener Kurier, reports that Onyedika did not suffer a serious injury and can travel as planned to join the Super Eagles squad. The report also states that there is no obstacle to his involvement with Nigeria during the international break.
That means the midfielder is expected to be available for Nigeria’s opening two matches in the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
Nigeria will face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25, before travelling to trade tackles with Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday.
Onyedika is one of only four midfielders invited by Chelle for the AFCON qualifiers, with others being Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyedika.
Chelle’s plans were hit by injuries to Tochukwu Nnadi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Alhassan Yusuf while the Malian tactician overlooked Monza youngster
Ebenezer Akinsanmiro.
