Raphael Onyedika, three other Super Eagles players ruled out of 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoffs

Nigeria will head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup African Zone playoffs without four of its key players.

Raphael Onyedika of Club Brugge and Fisayo Dele Bashiru of Lazio are both sidelined with hamstring injuries.

Right back Ola Aina is unavailable until January 2026, while striker Cyriel Dessers remains doubtful due to a sprain.

Their absence was already felt during Nigeria’s final qualifying victories over Lesotho and Benin, where Chelle had to improvise. With no natural right back available, centre back Benjamin Fredrick was deployed out of position. In midfield, the team relied heavily on Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi, exposing a lack of depth.

Nigeria is set to face Gabon’s Panthers in the semifinal on November 13 at El Barid Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.

The playoff format guarantees each team, Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo, and Gabon, a semifinal match, with the winners advancing to a final showdown for Africa’s sole ticket to the inter-confederation playoffs.

Despite the injury setbacks, Chelle still has a pool of talent to draw from across defence, midfield, and attack.

The Super Eagles will be hoping to overcome Gabon and set up a decisive clash against either Cameroon or DR Congo, with a place in the global playoff round at stake.