Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is the latest curveball for final Super Eagles’ World Cup push

Coaches of the Super Eagles and Lazio have had their fears confirmed with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru having been ruled out with a Grade 2 thigh strain, sidelining him for about a month.

The midfielder lasted just 14 minutes against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday before he was forced off, and further tests have now revealed a lesion to the femoral bicep in his right leg. 

Lazio confirmed he will spend around a month on the sidelines, joining Matías Vecino and Nicolò Rovella in the treatment room. The news comes as another setback for Maurizio Sarri’s side, who are already short of options in midfield at a demanding stage of the season.

Dele-Bashiru only made his switch from Hatayspor permanent in the summer after impressing on loan last term. His start to the campaign had reinforced his growing reputation, but the latest setback leaves him facing a difficult spell both at club level and with Nigeria.

Dele-Bashiru injury a blow to Super Eagles’ World Cup hopes

The timing of the injury is particularly damaging for Nigeria, who must negotiate the last two games of the World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin Republic next month. 

Eric Chelle had come to view Dele-Bashiru as a reliable figure in the middle of the park, someone capable of linking defence to attack with pace and purpose.

Despite limited minutes, his record for the Super Eagles is impressive: nine caps, two goals, including a vital equaliser against South Africa and a winner against Libya, and two assists, all amassed in just 508 minutes of play. 

His absence, coupled with Ola Aina’s injury and Victor Osimhen’s ongoing recovery, leaves Chelle facing a tactical puzzle at a critical juncture.

Nigeria sit six points adrift of South Africa in their group and cannot afford further setbacks in October’s fixtures.