Semi Ajayi: Arsenal display makes his case to start in Uyo

Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi goes into Friday's AFCON 2027 qualifier against Tanzania available and in form, after a Team of the Week display at Arsenal that ended with cramps rather than the injury Nigeria feared.

Ajayi was taken off in the 69th minute of Hull City's 1-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday 7 November, and the early worry was a muscle problem that could rule him out of both Tanzania games.

Afrik-Foot reported on 10 November that Hull manager Sergej Jakirović put the exit down to severe cramps after a demanding shift, and that the initial medical assessment found no serious muscular damage. Ajayi then reported to the Super Eagles with the first group of arrivals in Akwa Ibom.

Seven duels won out of eight

The numbers from the Emirates explain why Hull were relieved. Ajayi made four clearances, three tackles and one block, won seven of his eight duels and completed 17 of 20 passes against Arsenal.

The display earned him a place in WhoScored's Premier League Team of the Week, and Hull's only concession came three minutes after he had gone off, Afrik-Foot noted.

Analysis: Fit, sharp, and the obvious partner for Bassey

Before the cramps were confirmed, Ajayi had been expected to start alongside Calvin Bassey in Uyo, and the alternatives discussed in his absence, including Benjamin Fredrick, were all players with far less experience at this level.

That is the strongest part of his case. Tanzania will not test Nigeria the way Arsenal tested Hull, but a back line that conceded three in Bissau needs calm more than it needs a new face, and Ajayi has just shown he can provide it against elite opposition.

The one caution is workload. Cramps after a hard 69 minutes are not an injury, but with a return leg four days after Uyo, Eric Chelle may need to manage his minutes across the double-header.

Soccernet's Nigeria vs Tanzania preview has the full picture before Friday's 17:00 WAT kick-off, and the stakes in Group L are laid out in why the Tanzania games are really about Guinea-Bissau.