Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru made a comeback to Lazio’s bench on Monday, recovering from an ankle sprain that had kept him out of action for several weeks, as his side drew 1-1 with Udinese at the Stadio Olimpico.
Dele-Bashiru had been sidelined with injury since Lazio’s goalless draw with Venezia, after a collision with Alessio Zerbin forced him to attempt to play through the pain, but after an attempted shot, his condition deteriorated, leading to his substitution and eventual departure assisted by medical staffs.
However, after recovering from the setback, the 24-year-old was deployed as an unused substitute as his team was forced to settle for a draw against Udinese, who had Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye back in action after three months and ten days out with a wrist injury.
Despite the result, Lazio will be thrilled to have Dele-Bashiru back in the fold, especially with a crucial Europa League second-leg tie against Viktoria Plzen looming, following their impressive 2-1 away win in the first leg. Additionally, Lazio are also chasing a Champions League spot, trailing fourth-placed Juventus by just a single point.
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Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle will welcome Dele-Bashiru’s timely return, as it boosts his chances of making the final squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Dele-Bashiru had been included in the initial 39-man provisional squad, but concerns arose that his ankle sprain might rule him out of the final selection.
The Super Eagles have a crucial double-header ahead, facing Rwanda on March 21 and then hosting Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on March 25. With only three points and a fifth-place standing, Nigeria urgently need victories in both matches to revive their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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