Super Eagles Defender Semi Ajayi Suffers Major Injury Setback After AFCON 2025
The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, has encountered a significant setback following their campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. Key defender Semi Ajayi has been ruled out of action for seven weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury during the tournament's third-place match.
Injury Details and Impact on Nigeria's AFCON Performance
Semi Ajayi, a 31-year-old central defender, limped off the pitch in the 90+3 minute of Nigeria's bronze medal match against Egypt at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca. He was replaced by Chidozie Awaziem in what proved to be a crucial moment for the Super Eagles. Medical scans have confirmed a hamstring injury, marking Ajayi's second similar setback within three months.
This development comes as a blow to Nigeria's defensive lineup, especially considering Ajayi's contributions during AFCON 2025. He scored Nigeria's opening goal against Tanzania earlier in the tournament and earned the Player of the Match award for that performance. The Super Eagles finished third overall, securing victory over Egypt in a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw in regulation time.
Nigeria's Tournament Journey and Defensive Record
The three-time AFCON champions displayed a mixed defensive performance throughout the competition. During the group stage, Nigeria conceded four goals, raising concerns about their backline stability. However, the team tightened up significantly in the knockout rounds, keeping clean sheets against Mozambique (4-0), Algeria (2-0), host nation Morocco (0-0), and Egypt (0-0).
Nigeria's quest for a fourth continental title ended in the semifinals, where Morocco edged them out 4-2 on penalties after Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi missed their spot kicks. The Super Eagles ultimately settled for the bronze medal despite an impressive run from the group stage through to the knockout rounds.
Club Consequences for Hull City
Ajayi's injury extends beyond the national team, significantly impacting his club side Hull City. The Nigerian international will be sidelined as the Tigers continue their push for promotion to the Premier League. This marks another absence for Ajayi, who had already missed seven Hull City matches due to his participation in AFCON 2025.
Hull City recently secured a 3-0 victory over Preston North End in the Championship, with goals from Liam Miller, Akin Famewo, and Oli McBurnie. However, the club now faces additional injury concerns, with Mo Belloumi and Darko Gyabi also sidelined with long-term issues. Ajayi is not expected to return to action until March, creating a defensive void for the promotion-chasing team.
Previous Injury History and Additional Super Eagles Concerns
This hamstring injury represents Ajayi's second similar issue in three months. He had previously been sidelined for six weeks with a comparable problem, causing him to miss Nigeria's crucial World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa in September 2025. The recurring nature of this injury raises questions about his long-term fitness and availability for both club and country.
The Super Eagles faced additional injury challenges during AFCON 2025, with striker Cyriel Dessers leaving the camp in Morocco due to a thigh problem. Manager Eric Chelle provided updates on Dessers' condition after Nigeria's 3-1 victory over Uganda, explaining that the Panathinaikos forward would undergo scans and did not feature against Uganda as a precautionary measure.
As Nigeria looks ahead to future competitions, managing player fitness and injury prevention will become increasingly important. The loss of key defenders like Ajayi at crucial moments highlights the physical demands of international tournaments and their subsequent impact on both national team performance and club commitments.
