Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign could suffer a blow as Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika faces a race against time to be fit for next month’s fixtures against Lesotho and Benin Republic.
The 24-year-old limped off after just 16 minutes in Brugge’s dramatic 5-5 draw with Westerlo on Wednesday night, forcing manager Nicky Hayen to replace him with Alexander Stankovic.
Onyedika, a key figure in midfield, has already made six league appearances this season. Hayen is expected to provide an update on the Nigerian’s fitness before Brugge’s weekend clash against Standard Liege.
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle will be anxiously awaiting the news, especially with another midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, already a major doubt for the October international break after sustaining a muscle injury in Lazio’s 1-0 derby defeat to Roma on Sunday.
