Injury blow: 34-cap Super Eagles star a major doubt for Nigeria’s World Cup playoff against Gabon

The Super Eagles defender, formerly on the books of Porto, Boavista, Alanyaspor, and Hajduk Split, faces a race against time to be fit for Metz and Gabon clashes

There is growing concern in both France and Nigeria after FC Nantes defender Chidozie Awaziem limped off injured during his team’s Ligue 1 clash against AS Monaco, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 28-year-old centre-back was forced off with fifteen minutes left on the clock, clutching the back of his right thigh. This has sparked fresh doubts about his availability for club and country in the coming weeks.

Chidozie Awaziem, a vital part of Nantes’ defensive structure, was substituted just after Monaco’s fourth goal in the 3-5 defeat, with head coach Luis Castro later confirming that the Nigerian is battling muscle fatigue.

“It’s muscle fatigue, we’ll wait and see and make a decision tomorrow (Saturday),” Castro said as per Ouste France, refusing to confirm his absence for Sunday’s league match against FC Metz.

The timing of the injury could not be worse for both Nantes and Nigeria.

Awaziem has been in fine form this season, making 10 Ligue 1 appearances and playing a key role in last weekend’s 2-1 win away at Paris FC. It is a result that lifted Nantes to 13th in the table.

But the sight of him leaving the pitch in discomfort against Monaco has now raised fears over his fitness for the club’s busy schedule and Nigeria’s upcoming fixtures.

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Awaziem: Injury clouds Super Eagles return

The uncertainty surrounding Awaziem’s fitness also threatens his long-awaited return to the Nigeria national team.

According to multiple reports in the local media, the defender has been named in the Super Eagles’ provisional squad for next month’s World Cup playoff against Gabon.

It is a comeback for the former Porto and Alanyaspor man, who was left out of Nigeria’s last two international matches, a 2-1 win over Lesotho and a 4-0 victory over Benin Republic, where coach Eric Chelle opted for younger options like Benjamin Fredrick in defence.

However, Awaziem’s recent resurgence at Nantes has not gone unnoticed.

His ability to play across multiple defensive roles and his consistency in Ligue 1 have reportedly convinced Chelle to restore him to the squad ahead of November’s mini-tournament in Morocco. The versatile centre-back has 34 caps and one goal for the three-time African champions. 

Yet, the latest setback has put his availability in serious doubt. While Nantes will be hoping he recovers in time to anchor their backline against Metz on Sunday, Nigeria’s coaching staff will be keeping a close eye on his progress.

With the World Cup playoffs only a couple of weeks away, any extended absence would be a major blow for the Super Eagles.