Leg injury sidelines Nigeria’s Olympic bronze medalist until 2023

The 2016 Rio Olympic Games hero faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines following a severe leg injury

Super Eagles winger Junior Ajayi has suffered a leg injury that will keep him away from football activities until the end of December.

Ajayi recently joined Alexandria-based Smouha SC months following a short-lived stint in Libya with Al-Nasr Benghazi.

Last year, Ajayi ended a hugely successful five-year spell with Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

In July, the former Nigerian youth international signed for Smouha to open a new chapter in his Egyptian sojourn.

But that adventure has been momentarily halted after Ajayi picked up a serious leg injury during a pre-season friendly encounter between Smouha and El-Qanah FC on Thursday.

According to Kingfut, Ajayi fractured the tibial shaft in his lower leg and could be sidelined for about ten weeks.

With a potential return set for the end of December, Smouha fans may not see their Nigerian import in action until the next year.

Ajayi has a contract with the Blue Wave until the summer of 2025.

A member of Nigeria’s bronze medal-winning team at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Ajayi is one of the most successful foreign players in Egyptian football.

The 26-year-old won four Egypt Premier League titles, two Egyptian Cups, two Super Cups, and two CAF Champions League honours with Al Ahly.