Nigeria's Super Eagles have been hit with a significant injury concern following their 3-1 victory over Uganda on Tuesday, 1st January 2026. Defender Ryan Alebiosu's tournament future is in serious jeopardy, while striker Cyriel Dessers is also a major doubt.
Serious Injury Mars Alebiosu's Debut
Blackburn Rovers star Ryan Alebiosu may have played his final match for Nigeria after sustaining a severe leg injury during his national team debut. The defender, who was handed a starting role by coach Eric Chelle, was forced to leave the pitch and was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment.
The injury occurred during the match against Uganda, which Nigeria won 3-1. Alebiosu, a graduate of Arsenal's youth academy, had played the full game, filling in for the regular right-back, Bright Osayi-Samuel.
Chelle's Concern and Medical Assessment
Coach Eric Chelle expressed both pride and worry about the situation. He confirmed that the player's status for the remainder of the Africa Cup of Nations is uncertain and hinges on the official medical report.
"It's difficult to play. This is his first game in Africa, in AFCON. I am happy with what he did, but I'm a little worried because he has an injury," Chelle stated. He described the injury vividly, noting, "When they scored the goal, he had a big... I don't know the word in English, but he went to the hospital. It's open. His leg is open."
The coach, however, remained pragmatic about his squad depth, adding, "I'm happy about how he played today, and I have a lot of choices right now."
Dessers Adds to Fitness Worries
The injury list for the Super Eagles potentially grew longer as striker Cyriel Dessers was scheduled for a scan on Wednesday to assess a thigh problem. His availability for upcoming matches is now in doubt, presenting a fresh selection headache for the technical crew.
On a more positive note, the rest of the squad is reported to be fully fit and ready, with no players suspended for any upcoming fixtures. Fans were also relieved that stand-in captain Victor Osimhen avoided a booking against Uganda, having been one yellow card away from suspension. Osimhen played for 75 minutes without incident.
The injuries to Alebiosu and Dessers represent a challenging start to the knockout phase for Nigeria, who had secured their place with group stage wins against Tanzania and Tunisia. All eyes will now be on the medical team's reports as the nation awaits news on the fitness of its key players.
