The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been dealt a major setback ahead of their crucial 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. West Brom defender Semi Ajayi has suffered a recurrence of his hamstring injury, ruling him out of action for several weeks.

Ajayi, who had only just returned to the pitch after a four-month layoff, now faces another spell on the sidelines. His absence comes at a critical time for Nigeria, who are desperate for victories to revive their qualification hopes. The team has managed just three goals in their first four games, leaving them in a precarious position in the qualifiers.

New head coach Eric Chelle, who is yet to take charge of a match, now faces a selection headache. With Ajayi out, he may turn to alternatives like William Troost-Ekong and Calvin Bassey as his primary center-back pairing. Other options include Olisa Ndah, Gabriel Osho, Kevin Akpoguma, and the experienced Kenneth Omeruo. A defender from the Nigerian Premier Football League could also be considered.

While Ajayi’s experience will be missed, Nigeria still boasts quality in defense. The question now is whether Chelle can find the right formula to secure much-needed wins against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March.