Bright Osayi-Samuel To Miss Super Eagles’ AFCON Qualifiers In September

Fenerbahce defender Bright Osayi-Samuel’s availability for Super Eagles of Nigeria’s international fixtures in September is in doubt due to an ankle injury.

Bright Osayi-Samuel was absent from Fenerbahce’s recent league match against Rizespor as he was not included in the squad. Despite his absence, Fenerbahce secured a convincing 5-0 victory.

Osayi-Samuel, recognized as one of Jose Mourinho’s preferred players at Fenerbahce, participated in the team’s first two league games of the season, contributing to a 1-0 win over Adana Demirspor and a 2-2 draw at Göztepe.

Reports from Turkish publication Haberanlik indicate that his absence in the latest game was due to the ankle injury sustained in the previous match.

As he works on regaining fitness, his availability for Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in September remains uncertain.

The Eagles are scheduled to face the Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on September 7, followed by a match against Rwanda three days later.

Osayi-Samuel, 26, has earned 17 caps for Nigeria since his debut in 2022 and has become a vital part of the Super Eagles’ defence.

He is regarded as one of Nigeria’s top right-backs alongside Ola Aina of Nottingham Forest. Both fullbacks played significant roles in the Super Eagles’ journey to the final of the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.