Injury nightmare: Super Eagles attacker still sidelined, set to miss crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will play the World Cup in November, and Eric Chelle will need his best legs….

Bayer Leverkusen winger Nathan Tella will not be available for Super Eagles selection for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs, Soccernet.ng reports.

In just over two weeks, the Super Eagles will resume international duty. They will take on Gabon in the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup playoffs. If they survive, they will then face the winner of the game between DR Congo and Cameroon a few days later.

Going into those games, coach Eric Chelle would need all the quality he can get, as Nigeria's World Cup qualification is on the line.

However, the Franco-Malian tactician will be missing the services of one of Nigeria’s finest attackers Nathan Tella.

This is as Bayer Leverkusen coach Kasper Hjulmand has stated that the Super Eagles star is yet to recover from a knee injury, which he has been struggling with since last month.

“With Nathan Tella, the injury was more difficult and complicated than we first thought,” Hjulmand said per Werkself Xtra.

“I think he’ll need the international break as well. It’s looking better and better, but I can’t say when he'll return exactly.”

Will Nathan Tella's Absence Affect The Super Eagles?

Nathan Tella's absence will be a minus for the Super Eagles is a blow, as it limits coach Eric Chelle's attacking options.

But he won't really be missed, provided the other Nigerian attackers like Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman, and Moses Simon are fit and ready to go.

Tella will be hoping to heal quickly and return to action for Bayer Leverkusen soon enough.