Super Eagles: After Osimhen & Lookman, another Nigeria star withdraws from Portugal, Poland tour

Super Eagles midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro has been ruled out of Nigeria’s upcoming international friendlies against Poland and Portugal after falling ill, Afrik-Foot reports.

Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle confirmed the Pisa SC midfielder’s withdrawal as preparations continue for the two high-profile European fixtures.

The news comes as another setback for the Super Eagles, who have already lost several important players ahead of the June international window.

Super Eagles: Akinsanmiro joins growing absentee list

Super Eagles boss Chelle revealed that Akinsanmiro will not report to camp because he is currently unwell and unable to travel with the squad.

The 21-year-old midfielder had been hoping to build on his recent involvement with the national team setup after earning recognition for his performances in Europe. Akinsanmiro, who is contracted to Inter Milan and spent the season on loan at Pisa, was seen as one of the young players capable of strengthening Nigeria’s midfield options.

The youngster was a member of the Super Eagles squad that won bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco earlier in the year. His withdrawal adds to an already lengthy list of absentees.

Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman will both miss the friendlies after Chelle and his technical crew decided to give the attacking duo time to recover physically following demanding club campaigns. Osimhen is also expected to focus on resolving his club future during the summer transfer window.

Despite impressive at the Unity Cup, Femi Azeez is unavailable after his club declined to release him for the next set of matches. Midfielders Alhassan Yusuf and Samson Tijani have also been ruled out after failing to secure the necessary travel visas in time.

The series of withdrawals has forced Chelle to make adjustments to his plans just days before the Super Eagles begin their European tour.

Poland and Portugal tests come into focus

Despite the missing players, Chelle has insisted that Nigeria will approach both matches with full commitment as part of preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

The Super Eagles will first face Poland at the PGE Narodowy Stadium in Warsaw on Wednesday, June 3. After that encounter, the team will travel to Portugal for a second friendly against the Portuguese national side in Leiria on June 10.

With Akinsanmiro unavailable, attention is expected to turn to other midfield options.

Olympique de Marseille youngster Tochukwu Nnadi is one of the leading candidates to step into a larger role. The midfielder recently impressed during Nigeria’s Unity Cup triumph over Jamaica and has already shown that he can operate comfortably within Chelle’s system.

Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika is another strong option. His physical presence, defensive discipline and experience at European level could prove valuable against technically gifted opponents such as Poland and Portugal.

The coach could also look towards more experienced names. Alex Iwobi may be deployed in a deeper creative role to help drive attacks from midfield, while Frank Onyeka offers energy, pressing ability and defensive cover in central areas.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles delegation is already preparing for its trip to Warsaw. Senior players including Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon are expected to lead the squad, while newly invited goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo will continue his integration into the national team setup.