Zaidu Sanusi Among 3 Super Eagles Players Who Could Be Out for Rest of the Season

• Nigeria finished the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as runners-up
• Some of their key players had played in the final with injuries
• Three of the stars could now miss the remainder of the season

Shortly after helping Nigeria to finish the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as runners-up, three Nigerian internationals could miss action for the rest of the season.

The month-long continental showpiece seems to have taken a toll on some of the players after they returned to their respective clubs.

Following a pulsating semi-final game against South Africa, which stretched beyond 90 minutes, some Nigerian players were said to have played the final match with injuries.

FC Porto star Zaidu Sanusi was said to have managed to play in the game against Ivory Coast, while Ola Aina also played with a degree of injury.

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As the players returned to their respective clubs, reports have it that three players will be out for the rest of the season.

1. Zaidu Sanusi

Portuguese outfit, FC Porto, confirmed that Sanusi damaged his left knee’s anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which may rule him out of the season.

According to medical reports, it was discovered that the 26-year-old also ruptured the “external lateral ligament” of the same knee.

The recovery from ACL often takes at least five to nine months for elite athletes.

2. William Troost-Ekong

The man of the tournament at the recently concluded AFCON 2023, William Troost-Ekong, recently underwent surgery.

The Super Eagles stand-in captain suffered a hamstring injury during the second group game against Ivory Coast at the continental showpiece, Afrik-Foot reports.

Despite the pain, he displayed resilience and persisted in contributing to Nigeria's progress as much as possible.

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He billed to return to action for PAOK towards the end of the season.

3. Ola Aina

The defender was said to have played the AFCON final with injury. Upon return to his club, Nottingham Forest manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, further said a return date for the defender has yet to be ascertained.

The manager said:

“Ola Aina was injured in the AFCON semis and played the final with this injury, but wasn’t great.”

PAOK want compensation from FIFA

Sports Brief earlier reported that Troost-Ekong’s injury setback is not being taken lightly by his club side, PAOK, after it was confirmed that the defender is set to miss the rest of the season.

The 30-year-old injured his hamstring at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations but pushed on despite the setback to lead Nigeria to win the silver medal at the competition in Ivory Coast.

PAOK are demanding compensation from FIFA for the injury suffered by Troost-Ekong while on international duty representing Nigeria at the AFCON.