Real reason Mourinho omitted Osayi-Samuel from Fenerbahce travelling squad despite training today

Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has announced a 21-man traveling squad for his side's Europa League match against Dutch Eredivisie outfit Twente in De Grolsch Veste.

In preparation for their trip to the Netherlands, the Yellow Canaries trained at Fenerbahçe Can Bartu Facilities on Wednesday morning.

Super Eagles fullback Bright Osayi-Samuel was spotted training with the group this morning despite suggestions that he was nursing an injury picked up in the Europa League matchday one fixture against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on September 26.

Unsurprisingly, the former Queens Park Rangers star wasn't included in Jose Mourinho's matchday squad for Thursday evening's game against the Dutch opponents, and his omission is unrelated to any concerns about his fitness.

Osayi-Samuel is not eligible to be fielded against Twente as he is suspended for the game, having picked up his first career red card in the closing minutes of Fenerbahce's 2-1 win versus Union SG.

Making his first appearance for Fenerbahce since August 17, the Nigeria national teamer received a yellow card for time-wasting in the 87th minute and was sent off just three minutes later for a foul that resulted in a penalty, which goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved.

Interim Nigeria manager Augustine Eguavoen has a big call to make regarding Osayi-Samuel's inclusion in the squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers doubleheader against Libya. 

Since the start of September, the right-back has logged twenty five minutes in all competitions due to fitness issues. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: fenerbahce.org

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