Super Eagles: 5 questions Eric Chelle must answer after Zaidu Sanusi’s Porto injury

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has another defensive problem to solve before Nigeria begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, Afrik-Foot reports.

FC Porto left-back Zaidu Sanusi suffered a right adductor injury during Saturday’s 3-0 win over Académico Viseu at the Fontelo Stadium. He left the game in the 18th minute after receiving treatment.

Porto confirmed that Sanusi will undergo further tests to determine the full extent of the injury. Porto coach Francesco Farioli then gave Chelle more reason to worry by saying the injury “seems serious”. Sanusi’s problem comes at a bad time because Nigeria’s first two qualifiers are less than four weeks away.

Nigeria will face Madagascar on September 23 before travelling to play Guinea-Bissau on September 27. Nigeria will need a strong start in Group C, and Chelle now has to decide how to rebuild his left side if Sanusi cannot play.

Super Eagles: 5 questions for Chelle

Who replaces Sanusi?

Chelle has three interesting options if Sanusi is ruled out: Felix Agu of Werder Bremen, Emmanuel Godwin of Pardubice or Isaac James of Alverca.

Agu has already played for Nigeria and offers experience at club level in Germany. However, his fitness is a concern. Werder Bremen confirmed earlier this year that he suffered an adductor injury, and he remains a doubt for the September internationals.

Godwin could offer a younger option. The 21-year-old Nigerian has started five league games for Pardubice this season and has played 400 minutes.

James may be the most natural replacement on paper. The 21-year-old is a left-footed defender at Alverca and played 19 Primeira Liga matches last season. He has also started all three of Alverca’s league games in the 2026-27 campaign, with one assist.

Does Chelle change his defensive setup?

Sanusi’s absence could force Chelle to make more than a simple player-for-player change.

Bruno Onyemaechi has often operated at left-back under Chelle, while Calvin Bassey can also play there. That gives the coach a way to keep his current defensive shape without introducing a new player.

The other option is to change how Nigeria build attacks from the left. Sanusi is an experienced international who has played at a high level with Porto. Replacing him with a less experienced player could mean giving that full-back more protection from the midfield.

Can Sanusi recover in time?

That is the question Chelle cannot answer yet. Porto has confirmed the right adductor injury, but further tests are needed before the club can give a clear recovery period. Farioli’s description of the problem as serious adds to the concern.

Nigeria’s first qualifier is against Madagascar on September 23. That gives Sanusi about three weeks to recover from the injury. Even if he returns to training before then, Chelle will need to know whether he is fit enough for competitive international football.

Does another defender get called up?

This could become necessary if both Sanusi and Agu are unavailable.

Chelle may decide to add another left-back rather than enter the qualifiers with only Onyemaechi and Bassey as natural alternatives. James and Godwin offer two younger options, while Agu’s previous Nigeria experience makes him an obvious choice if he passes his fitness checks.

The decision will also depend on how Sanusi’s medical tests develop. A short absence could lead Chelle to keep his original squad plan. A longer injury could force a fresh call-up.

How does this affect Nigeria’s opening AFCON qualifiers?

The first two games now carry an extra selection problem for Chelle. Nigeria face Madagascar at home on September 23 before Guinea-Bissau four days later. The Super Eagles need points from both games as they begin their route to the 2027 AFCON finals in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Sanusi’s injury does not leave Nigeria without defensive options, but it reduces Chelle’s choices. The coach will likely continue to trust Onyemaechi in that role while he may promote a new left-back such as James or Godwin to provide cover for the Greece-based defender.