Ajayi adds to Eagles injury worries

The Super Eagles have suffered another injury scare ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania after defender Semi Ajayi was forced off with a knock in Hull City’s 1-0 defeat at Arsenal on Saturday.

Ajayi, who had helped frustrate the Premier League leaders, went down holding his left leg and was replaced in the 69th minute by Australian defender Lucas Herrington.

Three minutes later, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard scored the only goal, reacting quickest to the rebound after Noni Madueke’s effort was saved by Konstantinos Tzolakis.

The result put Arsenal on 27 points, six clear of Manchester City, who face Nottingham Forest later on Saturday.

Hull are 13th with 11 points from 10 games and have gone nine matches in all competitions without a win, with four defeats and five draws. They face Brighton on November 22 after the international break.

Ajayi is in Chelle’s 24-man squad for the double-header against Tanzania on November 13 and 17. The Super Eagles have already lost Victor Osimhen, who is recovering from knee surgery, and Samuel Chukwueze, who had hip surgery in London.

Nigeria will now await an update on the defender’s condition.

Peter, who has been covering sports for PUNCH for close to two years, focuses on combat sports reporting, special features and human angle stories