Super Eagles defender Zaidu Sanusi marked his long-awaited return to top-flight football with an appearance for FC Porto in their League Cup semi-final clash against Sporting CP, 325 days after suffering a devastating ACL injury.

Sanusi’s nightmare began in February 2024, when he was forced off in the 32nd minute during a Primeira Liga match against Estrela Amadora. Subsequent scans confirmed an anterior cruciate ligament injury, sidelining him for the rest of the season and delaying his return to competitive football until October 2024.

Despite recovering physically, Sanusi struggled to regain match fitness and spent the latter part of last year with Porto’s B team. This season, he has been included in Porto’s Europa League matchday squads twice but did not make it onto the pitch.

Tuesday night finally brought relief for the 27-year-old Nigerian. He came off the bench in the 61st minute of Porto’s League Cup semi-final against Sporting CP, four minutes after Viktor Gyökeres scored the game’s only goal.

Though Porto fell 1-0, Sanusi’s return was a personal triumph. He registered 27 touches, completed a dribble, and made one key pass, even creating a big chance that went unconverted. His confident display signaled a step toward reclaiming his spot in Porto’s starting XI.

With a contract at Porto running until 2027, Sanusi’s immediate focus will be on impressing head coach Vitor Bruno to secure more playing time. Internationally, he will also aim to earn a recall to the Super Eagles. The left-back last represented Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, where he played a key role in the team’s runner-up finish.

For now, Sanusi’s return to action is a significant milestone, and he will hope this marks the beginning of a successful comeback.