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Nigeria CB Igbo Ogbu suffered a major injury during an off-season training camp with the Super Eagles.
Ogbu, who has been preparing with the Super Eagles for the international friendly against Portugal, was seen on crutches after Saturday’s session.
Reports confirm that the 26-year-old ruptured his left Achilles tendon.
While team doctors are yet to confirm the actual extent of the injury suffered, the player has been ruled out for the match against Portugal and is expected to undergo further tests.
Ogbu has earned 12 caps for Nigeria and has been an important player for Eric Chelle since making his debut last year.
Uncertain return date
Although it is unclear if he will be required to undergo surgery, should an ACL tear be confirmed, Ogbu could be out for 9 months.
Last season he helped Slavia Prague defend the League title; his second with the club since joining them in 2023.
The Super Eagles prepare for the Portugal test
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s international friendly match will go ahead, despite the recent injury suffered by the Super Eagles team.
Players in Lisbon
Francis Uzoho, Maduka Okoye, Arthur Okonkwo, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Christian Akpan, Emmanuel Fernandez, Zaidu Sanusi, Bruno Onyemeachi, Abdullahi Ibrahim, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, Philip Otele, Tochukwu Nnadi, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, Terem Moffi, Paul Onuachu, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams.
The team had completed two training sessions in Lisbon since arriving from Warsaw, where they drew 2-2 in another friendly.
Against Portugal, the Super Eagles will help get the former European champions into shape ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Portugal, who recently beat Chile 2-1, are in Group K along with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia.
Goals from Gonçalo Guedes (58′) and Bruno Fernandes (72′) gave victory to Roberto Martínez’s team.
Wednesday’s friendly against Nigeria, the second meeting between the two countries since 2022, will be played inside the 23,000-capacity Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria.
It will be the farewell match for the Seleção das Quinas before Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates head to Houston, where they will begin their World Cup campaign on June 17 against the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
