Chelle gets Onyedika injury boost

File photo: Nigeria international Raphael Onyedika

Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika has received a boost after the shoulder problem he suffered in Eintracht Frankfurt’s 2-2 draw with SC Freiburg was deemed not serious, leaving him free to join Nigeria for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

LigaInsider, citing the Wiesbadener Kurier, reported that there is no obstacle to his involvement during the international break and that he can travel as planned.

The 25-year-old needed treatment after a 91st-minute duel with Freiburg substitute Lucas Höler in Saturday’s Bundesliga game at Deutsche Bank Park. He was in obvious pain, but continued and saw out the final whistle after playing almost the entire match.

Frankfurt led twice in the game. Younes Ebnoutalib scored in the 10th minute, but Derry Scherhant equalised for Freiburg in the 34th. Jonathan Burkardt restored the lead two minutes later before Yuito Suzuki made it 2-2 in the 48th.

The result left Frankfurt on five points from four games, while Freiburg remain unbeaten after four league matches.

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Onyedika is expected to be available when Nigeria host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25, before the trip to Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, September 29.

Head coach Eric Chelle named him in his 24-man squad, and he is one of only four midfielders invited, alongside Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka.

Chelle’s plans had already been dented by injuries to Tochukwu Nnadi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Alhassan Yusuf.

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