Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru suffered an ankle injury in Lazio’s goalless draw against Venezia on Saturday, casting doubt over his availability for Nigeria’s crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers next month, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The 24-year-old midfielder lasted only 41 minutes before being forced off following a collision with Alessio Zerbin in the 36th minute.
Lazio manager Marco Baroni confirmed the midfielder’s injury status after the match.
“We have to verify his condition. He felt pain when he took that shot. Playing every two or three days, it’s going to be difficult to get him recovered for the next match,” Baroni told DAZN.
According to Italian sources, the Nigerian could be sidelined until after the March international break, dealing a blow to Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle’s plans for the upcoming qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Before his substitution, Dele-Bashiru had completed 24 of his 26 passes, recorded 30 touches and attempted one key pass in an otherwise solid display.
The injury adds to Chelle’s selection headache as he attempts to revive Nigeria’s faltering World Cup qualification campaign, with the Eagles winless and sitting fifth in Group C with just three points from four matches.
Dele-Bashiru has made 22 appearances for Lazio this season, scoring five goals and providing two assists. In Serie A, he has featured 16 times, starting six matches and scoring three goals while maintaining an impressive 91 per cent passing accuracy.
The midfielder will undergo further tests to determine the extent of his injury.
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