Super Eagles Shorthanded: Key Duo Absent from Training Before Jordan Showdown

Nigeria’s defensive roster may experience a notable transformation after two crucial Super Eagles players skipped a recovery training session as head coach Eric Chelle readies his team for Tuesday’s international friendly against Jordan.

The Super Eagles approach the match following a 2-1 triumph over Iran on Friday.

Recall that Akor Adams and Moses Simon netted goals to clinch the win for the 2025 AFCON bronze medalists.

With that match behind them, Chelle’s squad has focused their complete attention on their second international friendly during the break against Jordan.

However, Chelle might need to cope without two essential defenders: Hull City’s Semi Ajayi and Slavia Prague’s Igoh Ogbu.

In the confrontation against Iran, Ajayi was taken off at halftime, with Emmanuel Fernandez coming on to replace him. The rationale behind the substitution was not revealed post-match.

Ogbu, who also started, was substituted in the 56th minute after seemingly suffering an injury.

He was replaced by debutant Chibuike Nwaiwu. The full extent of Ogbu’s condition has not yet been disclosed.

Nonetheless, recovery footage released by the Super Eagles’ media team on Saturday displayed the team in training, but both Ajayi and Ogbu were noticeably missing from the video.

Nine players from the starting eleven in the Iran match engaged in light jogging exercises, but the absent starters were Ajayi and Ogbu.

Still, their omission from Saturday’s practice might merely be a precaution intended to prevent further issues.

Yet, with training sessions planned for Sunday and Monday prior to Tuesday’s match against Jordan, there remains a chance that both defenders could be fit for selection.