Super Eagles defender boosts AFCON 2025 chances with first goal in two years

The veteran defender was Nigeria’s first-choice fullback at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast where the Super Eagles picked up a silver medal

Zaidu Sanusi delivered a timely reminder of his quality on Monday night as the Super Eagles defender ended a two-year scoring drought in Porto’s emphatic 4-0 win over Arouca, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 28-year-old fullback, who has endured a miserable spell with injuries and patchy form, came off the bench in the 68th minute and struck Porto’s fourth goal late on.

His left-footed finish, teed up by Alberto Costa after a sweeping counterattack, was briefly checked by VAR before being confirmed.

For Sanusi, it was a moment of long-awaited relief, his first goal since November 2023 against Vitoria Guimaraes.

Porto had already done most of the damage before his cameo. Samu Aghehowa opened the scoring early, Deniz Gul doubled the advantage soon after the restart, and Francisco Moura added a third. Even the dismissal of teenage fullback Martim Fernandes early in the second half did little to slow them down as they extended their lead at the top of the Primeira Liga.

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The significance went far beyond the scoreline for Sanusi, who was linked with a move to the Premier League in the summer. Once a regular for both club and country, he has spent the better part of two years wrestling with a knee injury that sidelined him for eight months and disrupted his standing at Porto.

His absence also forced Nigeria into a carousel of replacements at left-back, with Bruno Onyemaechi, Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey all trying to fill the void.

Sanusi was last seen in national colours during Nigeria’s run to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final in Ivory Coast, but he was injured in his very first game back for Porto after that tournament. Since then, Nigeria have struggled for balance down the left flank while also enduring a shaky World Cup qualifying campaign.

The timing of his return could not be better.

Nigeria’s squad for October’s final round of qualifiers is set to be named shortly, and Eric Chelle will be under pressure to select players capable of stabilising the defence.

With the Super Eagles already qualified for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, Sanusi’s resurgence gives Chelle a proven option as he weighs up his defensive selections.

Sanusi has featured in four of Porto’s six games this September but is still being eased back into full fitness.

But with his fine strike on Monday night, Nigeria’s forgotten left-back has shown he is ready to fight his way back into contention.