Super Eagles sweat over Samuel Chukwueze’s fitness ahead of 2026 World Cup qualifiers

Super Eagles forward, Samuel Chukwueze, faces uncertainty over his fitness as Nigeria gears up for their World Cup qualifiers, with concerns arising from his injury during AC Milan’s recent clash against Cagliari, Soccernet.ng reports. 

With Nigeria set to face South Africa and Benin Republic in the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches in June, the potential absence of Chukwueze adds to the team’s worries.

The pacy winger had previously missed the Super Eagles’ international friendly against Ghana and Mali after the World Cup—and could miss another time with his compatriots.

What happened to Chukuweze vs Cagliari?

During AC Milan’s match against Cagliari, Chukwueze was forced off the field due to injury, replaced by Rafael Leao. This setback not only affects Milan but also poses a challenge for Chukwueze’s availability for Nigeria’s crucial fixtures.

The extent of Chukwueze’s injury, reported as a muscle problem in his left thigh, remains uncertain, with further assessment needed to determine his recovery timeline.

Who can replace Chukwueze in Super Eagles squad?

In light of this development, attention turns to potential replacements for Chukwueze in the Super Eagles squad. With Simon Moses also recovering from injury, new head coach Finidi George, succeeding Jose Peseiro, faces the task of assembling a competitive team.

However, reports suggest that the former Ajax winger plans to retain 80% of the players from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations squad.

Nathan Tella emerges as a prominent candidate to fill Chukwueze’s shoes, given his pivotal role for Bayer Leverkusen.

Although Tella did not feature in the AFCON, this presents an opportunity for him to showcase his abilities and secure a spot in the Super Eagles squad under Finidi George’s leadership.