Super Eagles injury crisis: Why Ilenikhena’s fitness is now crucial against Guinea-Bissau

A fresh Super Eagles injury crisis may have hit the camp of the three-time African champions as Nigeria prepare to battle Guinea-Bissau on matchday two of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, Afrik-Foot reports.

Super Eagles boss Eric Chelle faces an uncomfortable striker puzzle ahead of Nigeria’s crucial clash with the Djurtus in Bissau, with George Ilenikhena doubtful, Akor Adams training separately and Victor Osimhen already ruled out.

Ilenikhena’s sudden fitness concern is particularly frustrating after the Al-Ittihad forward marked his senior debut with a crucial goal in Friday’s 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar in Uyo.

The 20-year-old started alongside Adams and reacted fastest in first-half stoppage time to cancel out Ehsan Kari’s opener before Moses Usor completed Nigeria’s comeback in the 65th minute. Ilenikhena was withdrawn in the 69th minute, and his subsequent training programme has now put his involvement in Tuesday’s Group L clash under serious scrutiny.

Chelle confirmed the concern without revealing the nature of the problem.

“We have to manage George [Ilenikhena]. He has a little something, so we will see in the final training session,” Chelle said in the pre-match conference.

“Apart from him, we have two or three players who are sick. We will see before Tuesday.”

Super Eagles: Chelle’s attacking options narrow

Adams is also racing against time after training separately from the main group alongside Ilenikhena following the Madagascar victory. Both forwards started that match, leaving Chelle with two central strikers whose availability is uncertain less than 24 hours before kick-off.

Osimhen’s absence compounds the problem. The Galatasaray striker was withdrawn from the squad after his recovery from a muscle strain took longer than expected, ruling him out of both opening qualifiers.

Taiwo Awoniyi and Tolu Arokodare therefore provide Chelle with another established central pairing option. Both forwards played the final few minutes of the game in Uyo together. Moses Usor could also be deployed as a centre-forward, with his match-winning debut strengthening his case.

The Super Eagles cannot afford to suffer a defeat in Bissau. Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau both have three points after winning their opening fixtures, with the Djurtus beating Tanzania 2-0 in their opener.

Chelle must now decide whether to gamble on Ilenikhena or Adams, turn to Awoniyi and Arokodare, or reshape an attack that suddenly looks thinner than it did before Friday night.