Before the Portugal test, Bassey and Ajayi are on guard as the Super Eagles lose a vital player.
According to Soccernet.ng, Nigeria’s Super Eagles have suffered a significant setback ahead of their international friendly against Portugal after defender Igoh Ogbu sustained an injury during training.
The center-back suffered what team doctors believe may be a rupture of his left Achilles tendon, forcing him to halt training on Saturday night. Although more tests are anticipated, the Super Eagles have confirmed that the 26-year-old will be sidelined for a considerable amount of time due to the injury.
For head coach Eric Chelle, who is getting his team ready for a tough test against Portugal in Leiria, the timing couldn’t be worse. After playing in Nigeria’s most recent 2-2 draw against Poland on June 3, where he finished the first half before being replaced, Ogbu was expected to play a significant part in the team’s defense.
Super Eagles star Igoh Ogbu
Chelle has fewer options in central defense without him. Calvin Bassey, Emmanuel Fernandez, and Semi Ajayi are the remaining specialized center backs in the camp. Ajayi is a strong contender to start due to his international experience, while Fernandez might be given a more significant role following his recent addition to the team. At the center of the defense, Bassey is also anticipated to assume more responsibility.
Ogbu Igoh: The difficult path to regular Super Eagles status
Given the advancements Ogbu has made in international football over the past year, his injury is especially disappointing.
In 2019, the defender made his national debut with the Flying Eagles. Before making another appearance at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland, where Nigeria made it to the Round of 16, he was a regular member of Nigeria’s squad at the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, helping the team reach the semifinals.
In 2025, he received his first senior call-up under Chelle as a result of his outstanding performances for Czech champions SK Slavia Prague. He has since grown to be a reliable member of the Super Eagles team.
Ogbu played three games for Nigeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, helping the team place third. Over the past few weeks, he has also played a significant role in friendlies against Poland, Zimbabwe, and Jamaica.
Now that Ogbu is out, Chelle needs to quickly rearrange his defense before taking on a Portugal team full of talented attackers. As they get ready for one of their most difficult tests of the international window, the Super Eagles will be hoping that their remaining defenders can step up to the plate.
