Injury blow rules Salim Fago Lawal out of Nigeria friendly against Jordan

Salim Fago Lawal will miss the chance to make his first full appearance for Nigeria national football team after suffering an injury during club duty with Viktoria Plzeň.

The 23-year-old forward was forced off early in Plzeň’s 2-0 victory over Bohemians Praha 1905 in the Czech First League on Sunday, ruling him out of Nigeria’s upcoming international friendly against Jordan national football team.

Lawal’s evening ended barely ten minutes after kick-off. The Nigerian attacker received a pass from Dávid Krčík and quickly tested goalkeeper Tomáš Frühwald with an early effort on goal. Although the shot was comfortably saved, the striker appeared to suffer discomfort in the process.

He initially attempted to continue but was soon seen receiving treatment from the medical staff on the touchline. Moments later, the forward signalled he could not continue and was substituted in the 11th minute, dealing an immediate blow to both his club and national team ambitions.

Viktoria Plzeň head coach Martin Hyský later confirmed that the injury would keep Lawal sidelined until after the international break, effectively ending hopes of the player featuring in Nigeria’s friendly.

“It was a complication to substitute such an important player so early. We will do everything to get him back after a long international break,” Hyský said.

The timing is particularly disappointing for the young forward, who had been hoping to build on his recent introduction to international football with Nigeria. Lawal made his senior debut for the Super Eagles earlier this year when he came off the bench in a pre-tournament friendly against Egypt national football team in Cairo.

He later made another substitute appearance during the Africa Cup of Nations, featuring briefly in Nigeria’s clash with Uganda national football team.

Missing the Jordan friendly now denies Lawal an opportunity to push for a more prominent role within the squad.