Samuel Chukwueze: Key Nigeria, Milan games Super Eagles star will miss due to 2-month injury lay off

Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a hip injury, ruling him out of Nigeria’s AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Tanzania and a run of important AC Milan games.

The Super Eagles winger felt pain in his left hip after Milan’s 3-2 Serie A win over Atalanta last Sunday and missed training the day before the Europa League defeat to Bournemouth. He has since seen a specialist and started a course of injections.

Football Italia first reported that Milan feared he could be out for several weeks or even months.

Italian reports since, including Sport Mediaset and Corriere della Sera, put the layoff at at least two months. Milan will reassess him in 10 to 15 days, and surgery could become an option if the treatment does not work.

Former Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim, now in charge of the Rosonerri, revealed that the Nigerian will be out of action for Milan’s clash against Udinese tomorrow.

“I’m not sure about Chukwueze. It’s a different setback from Ramos’s,” the Portuguese tactician said.

The 27-year-old has made eight appearances this season after becoming a trusted player under Amorim, providing two assists, and has been a regular at right wing-back. Alexis Saelemaekers is already out for at least five months after ankle surgery, so Milan are short on that side.

5 key games Samuel Chukwueze could miss

1. AC Milan vs Inter (The Milan derby) – 31 October

The Milan derby is the first major game on the list. Milan are fourth in Serie A, four points behind leaders Inter, and Amorim will have neither Chukwueze nor Saelemaekers for the right flank. The winger was also ruled out of the trip to Udinese on 25 October.

2. AC Milan vs Ferencváros – 5 November

Milan return to the Europa League at home after defeats to Benfica and Bournemouth. Chukwueze has started most of Milan’s games this season, so his absence leaves Amorim searching for width in a competition where Milan cannot afford another slip.

The seven-time UEFA Champions League winners are 24th in the Europa League group phase table and need wins if they’re to seal a knockout spot. Sadly, they’ll be without one of their best players this season.

3. Nigeria vs Tanzania (13 November) and Tanzania vs Nigeria (17 November)

The double header between the Super Eagles and Tanzania will be played in Uyo and Dar es Salaam.

Nigeria are second in Group L with three points from two games, after beating Madagascar 2-1 and losing 3-0 to Guinea-Bissau. Tanzania have already qualified as co-hosts, so only one place is available, and Nigeria need maximum points.

Chukwueze started against Madagascar and was replaced at half-time by Moses Usor, who scored the winner. Eric Chelle said the change was not injury-related and that Chukwueze looked tired.

With Chukwueze unlikely to be fit, the coach will need another option on the right.

4. Olympiacos vs AC Milan – 26 November

An away trip in the Europa League would come about five weeks after the injury, still inside the two months reported by Italian media.

Even if Chukwueze progresses well in his reassessment, a hip problem treated with injections makes a quick return unlikely.

5. Napoli vs AC Milan – 12 December

Napoli away is one of Milan’s toughest Serie A fixtures. The game would fall about eight weeks after the injury, and the winger is not expected to be back before the end of 2026.