Porto left-back Sanusi big doubt for Super Eagles' 2026 World Cup qualifiers in November 

Porto defender Zaidu Sanusi has emerged as a big doubt for Nigeria's 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe as he is unlikely to have recovered from a muscle injury.

The left-back has not been involved in the last six games played by Porto in all competitions and is set to miss Sunday's trip to Vizela  - a game that corresponds to the ninth round of matches in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.

Sanusi has been sidelined since suffering an injury in the first half of Porto's Champions League meeting with Shakhtar Donetsk on September 19, an ailment that kept him out of the Super Eagles squad for the October internationals against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique. 

The latest medical report from Porto stated that the Nigerian is still receiving treatment and did not train with his teammates at the PortoGaia Sports Training and Training Center on Friday.

Providing a squad update ahead of the match against Vizela, Porto wrote on their official website on Saturday that Wendell and Galeno are out of the options for the coach, as are the rest of the injured players, who must be absent 'until the national team break'.

Before Sanusi entered the Porto treatment room, he appeared in four matches, all of which he started. 

Nigeria manager Jose Peseiro is also sweating on the fitness of Italian-based duo Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen, Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi, and West Brom centre back Semi Ajayi ahead of his squad announcement for the World Cup qualifiers.

Boavista star Bruno Onyemaechi was utilized at left-back in the back-to-back friendlies this month.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com