Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle has received a boost before announcing his squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers playoffs in Morocco, with Birmingham City right-back Bright Osayi-Samuel declared fit to return to action.
The Blackpool academy product was initially named in Nigeria’s final squad for the qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin but had to withdraw due to fitness issues.
As a result of Osayi-Samuel’s unavailability, Chelle handed a late call-up to Porto left-back Zaidu Sanusi for the October internationals. Osayi-Samuel was fit enough to make the matchday squad for the Championship clash against Semi Ajayi’s Hull City at St Andrew’s at Knighthead Park on Saturday.
However, any chance of a return to the pitch vanished after central defender Jack Robinson was sent off, forcing Birmingham to adjust their tactics.
The 27-year-old has not featured in a competitive match since September 30, but he now has five more games to build up his match fitness before the November international window. Before his injury setback, Osayi-Samuel had made an encouraging start to his Birmingham City career, starting seven of their first eight league games.
Osayi-Samuel made substitute appearances in Nigeria’s World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa last month.
The former Queens Park Rangers man will learn whether he has done enough to earn a recall to the Super Eagles squad for the playoff tie against Gabon by October 26, as FIFA regulations require national associations to notify players of call-ups at least 15 days before the start of an international window.
