Nigeria’s key defender Zaidu Sanusi is thinking about missing the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025.
The Super Eagles’ left-back wants to focus on fixing his career at FC Porto, his club in Portugal.
This news comes after two hard years full of injuries that have kept him from playing much.
Sanusi helped Nigeria reach the AFCON final in 2023, but his luck changed soon after.
In early 2024, he tore a cruciate ligament, one of the worst injuries for a footballer. This injury made him sit out for the rest of the 2023-24 season and many months of the next season.
In total, he missed 42 games for Porto.
Injury Struggles and Fight for Playing Time
Before that big injury, Sanusi had already missed 17 games in the previous season because of a muscle injury.
These long breaks made him lose his starting spot at Porto. In the current season, he has only played five times in league and Europa League games.
Even then, he spent just 73 minutes on the field, all as a substitute.
At this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup, Sanusi did not get to play and sat on the bench for all three games. This shows how hard it has been for him to get back to top form.
Will He Miss AFCON 2025?
The Africa Cup of Nations will be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
The tournament clashes with the winter transfer window in Europe, which could be important for Sanusi’s future.
He might use this chance to either fight for his place at Porto or move to another club.
Sanusi joined Porto in 2020 and still has a contract until 2027.
But he believes playing regular football is very important for his long-term success. That is why he is thinking about skipping the AFCON to focus on his club career.
Nigeria Has Other Options in Defence
If Sanusi decides not to play for Nigeria at AFCON, coach Eric Chelle has some good alternatives.
Olympiakos player Bruno Onyemaechi can replace him in the left-back position.
Also, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ola Aina, who usually play on the right, can fill in on the left side if needed.
There is also a chance for changes in the defense if Chelsea’s Tosin Adarabioyo joins the team. This could move Calvin Bassey back to the left-back role, where he feels most comfortable.
