Injury threatens to knock out 17-cap Super Eagles star from Nigeria’s September fixtures vs Rwanda, Benin Republic

Fenerbahce defender Bright Osayi-Samuel is a major doubt to be available for Nigeria’s international engagements in September, Soccernet.ng reports.

Osayi-Samuel missed Fenerbahce’s league game at Rizespor on Sunday as he was not included in the club’s squad for the encounter.

Jose Mourinho’s men did not miss the former Queens Park Rangers ace, though, as they made light work of their hosts following a comprehensive 5-0 win.

Osayi-Samuel is considered one of Mourinho’s favourite players at Fener and he featured in the club’s first two league games of the season – a 1-0 win over Adana Demirspor and a 2-2 draw at Göztepe.

According to Turkish publications Haberanlik, Osayi-Samuel was forced out of Fenerbahce’s latest match due to an ankle injury which he picked up in their last game.

While Osayi-Samuel is working to regain fitness, the Super Eagles defender may not be ready in time for Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next month.

Nigeria trade tackles with the Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on September 7. Three days later, the former African champions will lock horns with Rwanda at the Stade Amahoro in Kigali.

Osayi-Samuel, who has amassed 17 caps since making his debut for Nigeria in 2022, has grown to become a key member of the Super Eagles’ defence.

The 26-year-old defender is considered to be one of Nigeria’s two best right-backs alongside Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina.

The two fullbacks were a crucial part of the Super Eagles squad that reached the final of the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.