Semi Ajayi will miss Super Eagles’ 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoffs clash with the Panthers of Gabon due to suspension, reports Completesports.com.
The centre-back picked up his second booking in the qualifying series against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Tuesday.
Ajayi was booked for the first time in the qualifiers on matchday one against Lesotho.
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The Hull City defender scored Nigeria’s only goal in the 1-1 draw.
The 31-year-old will however be available for selection should Nigeria make it to the final of the African playoffs.
Nigeria, and Gabon will clash in the semi-final on Thursday, 13 November.
Cameroon, and Democratic Republic of Congo will also do battle in the last four tie.
By Adeboye Amosu
9 Comments
Nice observation because is not easy to figure out someone that has been booked in the first Match and didn’t play till the 9th and 10th matches . Else, improper record would have caused us another yawaaa
Thanks for the observation NFF.
Next assignment GABON.
Watch out! Super Eagles is coming for you.
It’s high time Tosin Adarabioyo makes his mind for the good of Nigeria and himself. I would love to see quality options at CB alongside Ben. So that Bassey can be fully utilised at LB. Bassey at LB against SA was fire, not until he was replaced by Bruno who was not effective but a loophole. Aina/Osayi at RB then Ben and Tosin at CB with Bassey at LB will make Nigeria’s defence unshakable at the playoffs.
In the absence of Tosin due to whatever reasons such as Shakara or paper works, Igbo Ogbu of Slavia should be monitored because at this moment we can not be toying with our defence by playing Ekong. If it’s about penalty we have other players that can be tasked or prepared to take penalty.
As for midfield the coach must educate Ndidi on what he should be doing right. I’m saying this because Ndidi of before is not the same Ndidi of today whose ball usage can not help a team with purposeful play. If the coach was bold by adding Ben then he should be bold to add Ebenezer to combat Ndidi or give Onyedika if he’s match fit a look in. Ndidi having an automatic slot in the SE is a taboo let’s be guided because he knows how to do only back pass as we speak.
We can not afford to slip after all the months of football depression or hypertension. Whoever loves Nigeria football should be ringing the bell into the coaches ears because there are some people waiting to see Nigeria fail so that they can flood the internet with all nonsense. E.G Ghanaians and some demonic South Africans. Some of them already started the celebration before they discovered that a rule change gave us a passage to playoffs. As we speak their Victory is not sweet until they see Nigeria Eliminated. Nigeria is a great nation minus bad leaders and some corrupt greedy persons that does not want to live a proper life. I pray we make it by using the right blend of players.
Chelle should play Bassey and Frderick. No Ekong please
Very good sporting. CSN. This could have caused more serious damage if spotted by Garbon who will have automatically won the playoff even if SE won. Its a very long time ago, about 2 years ago in Nov 2023 or so- exactly 2 years to the playoff on 13th November 2025.
Good move NFF, no shaking provided aina recover ontime, we will move Federico Benjamin back to the CB. Lobatan.
@ Chima E Samuel forget about Tosin he is not ready to play for Nigeria. Chidozie Awaziem can do the job very well if given the chance to play.he has been playing well in his club fc Nantes in french Ligue. As for the mildfield I keep wondering why the coach prefer Ndidi to onyedika.that guy onyedika is a great mildfielder am looking forward to see him starting ahead of Ndidi. we will surely make it to the w/cup by God’s grace. our enemies will not laugh at us. Dr drey and his twin brother Oakfield with never laugh at us.
@Stan Lee, you are right. Forget Tosin, focus on those who want to play for Nigeria.
Yes Awaziem is good enough but let’s not rule Tosin out because he is being misinformed by certain agents. He has to make up his mind before we seal the World Cup. Another thing is that Gabon should not scare us because their group was a fluke no wonder they scored quadruple of goals. Their captain Aubameyang of today is not the same of Arsenal’s. Empty barrel will make a lot of noise as usual until their drum is full of goals.
Our main opposition is DR Congo but even at that Minus injured Yoane Wissa I don’t think they can pose much threat if we can curtail Fiston Mayele of Pyramid. Football will rise again in Nigeria if SE can make it. And a lot of Self employed Nigerians in the States will give massive support to SE.