Nigeria’s Super Eagles will be without center-back Semi Ajayi for the foreseeable future. The West Brom defender is set to undergo surgery after suffering a hamstring injury and is expected to be sidelined for at least 16 weeks.
Ajayi sustained the injury during West Brom’s match against Cardiff City last weekend. The 30-year-old will miss the next four months of action, ruling him out of Nigeria’s upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Rwanda and Benin.
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West Brom head coach Carlos Corberán confirmed that the former Arsenal academy player requires surgery to prevent further injury.
“Semi, unfortunately, has suffered a more difficult injury,” Carlos Corberán said while giving updates on the health of his wards. “It was an action which was an accident. In this action, he has broken his muscle in two parts.
“The best way to manage this injury is with surgery because surgery helps reduce the risk of suffering this type of injury again.
“There are injuries which affect the tendon in specific areas where you have to have surgery. The surgery delays things by around two weeks, but it also reduces the risk of the injury reoccurring.
“Returning in about 16 weeks is the approximate time when you have this type of surgery.
Ajayi has been a key player for West Brom this season, featuring in all 12 of their league games before the injury.
