Nigeria manager George Finidi is anxiously monitoring the fitness of 2023 Africa Cup of Nations standout Frank Onyeka ahead of the squad announcement for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and Benin’s Cheetahs, as reported by Sportblog247.com.

Onyeka missed Brentford’s final two matches of the recently concluded Premier League season due to fitness issues. The defensive midfielder sustained a minor injury before the Bees’ penultimate match against Bournemouth.

Finidi is grappling with an injury crisis leading up to the World Cup qualifiers, with up to five key players potentially unavailable due to injuries and lack of fitness. Alongside Onyeka, Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze are in a race against time to regain fitness for the doubleheader. William Troost-Ekong has not played a competitive match since the conclusion of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Porto left-back Zaidu Sanusi, Nantes winger Moses Simon, and Empoli defender Tyronne Ebuehi are still recovering from long-term injuries and are unlikely to be called up for the qualifiers.

Onyeka was one of the unsung heroes as the Super Eagles reached the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, starting every game under coach Jose Peseiro during the tournament in Ivory Coast.