Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika has received positive news after the shoulder injury he sustained during Eintracht Frankfurt’s 2-2 Bundesliga draw against Freiburg was deemed not serious.
The 25-year-old is now expected to join the Nigeria squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, with reports indicating that there is no medical obstacle preventing him from travelling during the international break.
According to LigaInsider, citing the Wiesbadener Kurier, Onyedika is free to link up with the Super Eagles as planned after escaping a serious shoulder problem.
The midfielder required treatment following a late challenge with Freiburg substitute Lucas Höler in the 91st minute of Saturday’s encounter at Deutsche Bank Park. Although he appeared to be in considerable discomfort, Onyedika remained on the pitch and completed the match.
Frankfurt twice took the lead but were unable to secure maximum points. Younes Ebnoutalib opened the scoring in the 10th minute before Derry Scherhant levelled for Freiburg in the 34th minute.
Jonathan Burkardt restored Frankfurt’s advantage just two minutes later, but Yuito Suzuki struck shortly after the restart to make it 2-2 in the 48th minute.
The draw left Frankfurt with five points from their opening four league matches, while Freiburg maintained their unbeaten start to the Bundesliga campaign.
Onyedika is expected to be available when Nigeria begin their AFCON qualifying campaign against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25. The Super Eagles will then travel to Guinea-Bissau for another qualifier on Tuesday, September 29.
Head coach Eric Chelle included Onyedika in his 24-man squad, with the Club Brugge midfielder one of only four midfielders selected alongside Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka.
Chelle’s midfield options had already been affected by injuries to Tochukwu Nnadi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Alhassan Yusuf, making Onyedika’s availability an important boost ahead of the qualifiers.
Nigeria will be hoping the midfielder can carry his club form into the international window as the Super Eagles begin their campaign to secure a place at the 2027 AFCON tournament.
Leave a comment