Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, received a welcome boost over the weekend with the return of two injured players, Samuel Chukwueze and Raphael Onyedika. Their comebacks relieve head coach Éric Chelle, who has been coping with a depleted squad. Chukwueze, a Fulham winger, missed action after sustaining a calf injury in Nigeria’s match against Benin Republic last month. He returned to the pitch, playing 13 minutes in Fulham’s 3‑0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
Onyedika, a midfielder for Club Brugge, was sidelined by a hamstring injury and missed Nigeria’s recent games against Lesotho and Benin. He also made his return, featuring for 64 minutes in Club Brugge’s 2‑1 win over Dender on Saturday.
The timing of their recoveries is crucial, as Nigeria is set to begin its 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs on 13 November. Both players are expected to be included in the squad, providing a significant boost to the team’s chances of qualifying. The Super Eagles have been working toward World Cup qualification, and the return of these key players will be vital to their campaign.
In recent weeks, injuries to several important players had raised concerns about Nigeria’s prospects in the upcoming playoffs. With Chukwueze and Onyedika back in action, the team’s outlook has improved. The Nigerian Football Federation will closely monitor their progress, along with that of other players, as it finalises the playoff squad.
Fans eagerly await the announcement of the final roster and the start of the playoffs, which promise an exciting and intense period for Nigerian football as the Super Eagles push for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
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