Zaidu Sanusi: Super Eagles star’s situation at Porto a cause for concern for Eric Chelle

With the World Cup playoffs fast approaching, Eric Chelle would want all his players firing on all Cylinders…

Super Eagles defender Zaidu Sanusi has only played 33 minutes of football at Porto since the last international break, Soccernet.ng reports.

Sanusi was a surprise inclusion in Chelle's squad for the last set of games against Lesotho and Benin, as he was struggling to get game time at Porto.

However, when he was called upon against Benin, he delivered. In fact, he turned out to be an upgrade on Bruno Onyemaechi, who had been playing that position.

But since the game against Benin in October 14, Sanusi has only seen 33 minutes of action, which was in a 2-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in the Europa League on October 23.

The Super Eagles defender has not made the matchday squad in four of Porto's last five games across all competitions, and this is not good enough.

⚽ ℕ ℕℂ ⚽#FCPSCB #SeguimosJuntos pic.twitter.com/smeMuxQicI

— FC Porto (@FCPorto) November 2, 2025

If he was making the matchday squad, it would have been fine. But being fully fit and still not making the bench is another kettle of fish.

Should Eric Chelle Still Invite Zaidu Sanusi For The Super Eagles' Playoffs?

The Super Eagles will be involved in the continental World Cup playoffs in just about two weeks. That competition will determine if they will play at the next World Cup or not. As such, there is not room for mistakes.

Eric Chelle is expected to release his squad list for the playoffs later, and only the best would naturally make the team. But in Zaidu Sanusi's case, there might just be a slight change.

Some players might struggle at their clubs and turn out to be beasts in their national team. So, coaches still invite them regardless of their form.

Before the last international break, Sanusi was not getting enough game time at Porto. So he was not even invited in the first draft of the Super Eagles squad.

He only made it because Osayi-Samuel got injured. But he entered the team and made a difference. The 28-year-old was significantly better than Onyemaechi at left-back.

Chelle will be looking at that, and feel that there more from where that performance came from. So even if he doesn't get regular minutes at Porto, he might still be a real asset for Nigeria.

With the squad announcement coming soon, it will be interesting to see who makes Eric Chelle's cut.