Dele-Bashiru: Relief for Super Eagles & Eric Chelle as tests confirm brief injury timeline

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Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle will be breathing easier after reports from Italy confirmed that Fisayo Dele-Bashiru will only miss two games due to an ankle injury.

The midfielder, who started in Lazio’s 0-0 draw against Venezia last weekend, was forced off in the 40th minute after sustaining a sprain.

Initially, there were concerns that he could be sidelined for a longer period, potentially ruling him out of Nigeria’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March.

Dele-Bashiru: Relief for Super Eagles & Eric Chelle as tests confirm brief injury timeline
Photo by IMAGO

Lazio manager Marco Baroni addressed the situation after the game, stating that Dele-Bashiru’s condition would be assessed before their Coppa Italia clash.

However, scans have now confirmed that he will miss only two matches—against Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia, this midweek and AC Milan in Serie A at the weekend.

https://twitter.com/SerieA_EN/status/1890325118896992463

Dele-Bashiru will be available for Super Eagles vs Rwanda, Zimbabwe

This news will come as a huge relief to Chelle, who is counting on the midfielder for the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

With Nigeria already facing challenges in midfield, losing Dele-Bashiru for an extended period would have been a significant blow.

The 23-year-old, on loan from Turkish side Hatayspor, has been one of Lazio’s standout performers this season, contributing five goals and two assists in 23 appearances across all competitions.

Dele-Bashiru: Relief for Super Eagles & Eric Chelle as tests confirm brief injury timeline
Photo by IMAGO

His form has attracted interest from Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester City, as well as Juventus in Serie A.

Now, with a quicker-than-expected recovery, Dele-Bashiru is expected to return in time for the squad announcement.

Barring any setbacks, he should be available to help Nigeria push for vital points in the World Cup qualifiers.

<!-- Author Start -->Andrew Randa<!-- Author End -->

Andrew Randa

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Andrew Randa is a veteran Nigerian sports journalist with over 20 years of experience covering the beautiful game across Africa. Andrew served as a Media Officer for Nigeria's U-20 Men's National Team for three years, offering a unique perspective on the future stars of Nigerian football. Beyond reporting, Andrew is a pioneer in sports graphics creation within Nigeria. His expertise extends to sports kit design, making him a true multi-faceted talent in the African sports landscape.