Nigeria’s preparations for the September Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying window could be heading for an unexpected setback, with injury concerns reportedly hanging over six Super Eagles players ahead of the crucial fixtures.

The growing fitness crisis has raised questions over the options available to head coach Eric Chelle, with several players reportedly facing varying periods on the sidelines at a time when the Super Eagles are expected to continue their push in the AFCON qualifying campaign.

According to a report by BSN Sports, Christantus Uche, Sadiq Umar, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Zaidu Sanusi, Tochukwu Nnadi and Yira Sor have all picked up injuries, leaving their availability for the September international window uncertain or ruled out in some cases.

Uche appears to face the most serious setback after suffering multiple ligament and meniscus injuries to his right knee during a pre-season encounter against Monaco. The Getafe midfielder is reportedly expected to miss the remainder of the season, effectively ruling him out of Nigeria’s September assignments.

Sadiq Umar’s situation is also being closely monitored. The Valencia forward reportedly suffered a right hamstring injury after scoring against Deportivo de La Coruña, with no definitive return date announced. His recovery timeline could therefore determine whether Chelle can count on him when the national team reconvenes.

There are similar concerns surrounding Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, who reportedly sustained a right-thigh injury during his club’s meeting with Bologna. With an expected recovery period of at least three weeks, his availability for the September window remains in doubt.

For Zaidu Sanusi, the outlook is even more difficult. The Porto defender reportedly suffered an adductor injury against Académico de Viseu and could be sidelined for around two months, making his participation in the September qualifiers highly unlikely.

Tochukwu Nnadi has also joined the injury list after reportedly sustaining a knee problem against Monaco. However, his absence may have a lesser immediate impact on Chelle’s plans, having only made his Super Eagles debut earlier this year.

Another concern is Yira Sor, who reportedly suffered a Grade 2B hamstring injury. The Amedspor forward is expected to spend about six weeks recovering, potentially keeping him out of Nigeria’s September engagements despite making an encouraging start following his move from Genk.

The concentration of injuries across different positions could force Chelle to reassess his plans and consider alternative options as the Super Eagles prepare for the next stage of their AFCON qualifying campaign. The situation also highlights the importance of the final medical assessments before the coach settles on his squad.

For Nigeria, the immediate concern will be whether any of the injured players can recover quickly enough to return to contention. With the September window approaching, every update from their respective clubs could carry significant implications for Chelle’s selection plans.