Bright Osayi-Samuel, the Fenerbahce defender, is uncertain to participate in Nigeria’s upcoming international matches in September.
Osayi-Samuel was absent from Fenerbahce’s recent league game against Rizespor as he was not part of the squad for the match.
Despite his absence, Jose Mourinho’s team comfortably defeated their opponents with a convincing 5-0 victory.
Considered one of Mourinho’s preferred players at Fenerbahce, Osayi-Samuel played in the team’s first two league games of the season – a 1-0 win over Adana Demirspor and a 2-2 draw with Göztepe.
As reported by Turkish outlet Haberanlik, Osayi-Samuel had to sit out of Fenerbahce’s recent match due to an ankle injury sustained in the previous game.
While Osayi-Samuel is striving to regain fitness, it is doubtful whether the Super Eagles defender will be fit in time for Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next month.
Nigeria is scheduled to face the Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on September 7. Three days later, they will meet Rwanda.
At 26 years old, Osayi-Samuel has earned 17 caps for Nigeria since his debut in 2022, establishing himself as a crucial member of the Super Eagles’ defense.
Regarded as one of Nigeria’s top right-backs alongside Ola Aina of Nottingham Forest, the duo played pivotal roles in the Super Eagles’ journey to the final of the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.