After suffering knock on Super Eagles duty, Zaidu excused from Porto's training on Thursday

Porto left-back Zaidu Sanusi has returned to Portugal following his international commitments with the Super Eagles, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

After nearly twenty months away from the national team, the experienced defender earned a late call-up for Nigeria's 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin, replacing Bright Osayi-Samuel, who withdrew through injury.

Zaidu made a brief appearance in the victory over Lesotho's Crocodiles, before starting his first match since the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final in the commanding win against Benin's Cheetahs.

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle was forced into a substitution in the 74th minute after Zaidu picked up a knock, with Bruno Onyemaechi taking his place.

The Porto man was later seen limping and had his leg bandaged during the post-match celebrations.

Porto's first team resumed training on Thursday at the Jorge Costa Sports Training Centre in Olival to prepare for their Portuguese Cup third round clash with Celoricense, but Zaidu was excused from the session.

According to Portuguese daily A Bola, the Nigerian defender was given time off after his long trip from Africa to allow him to rest and recover.

Manager Francesco Farioli is expected to assess Zaidu's fitness in Friday's final training session before deciding whether he will feature in the upcoming cup tie.

Apart from the goalless draw with Benfica before the international break, he has featured in all of Porto's matches this season, logging 445 minutes across nine appearances.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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