Super Eagles defender Zaidu Sanusi has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during FC Porto’s 2-0 win over Estrela Amadora on Saturday.
Sanusi, who played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign, appearing in all matches except one, was in the starting lineup for Porto but had to be substituted off after just 32 minutes due to the injury.
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The club on Sunday, confirmed Sanusi’s injury, stating, “The Nigerian international has a complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and the external lateral ligament of his left knee,” via X formally Twitter.
FC Porto manager Sérgio Conceição expressed his dismay over the situation, lamenting, “We are saddened for Zaidu. I think the season is over for him, and we are shaken by this situation, which was to be avoided, as it was a clear foul, and we were left without a player for the rest of the match,” Conceição said per Abola.
Research indicates that recovery from an ACL injury typically takes six to nine months for athletes. Consequently, Sanusi will miss FC Porto’s UEFA Champions League quarterfinal clash against Arsenal.
Furthermore, he will be absent from the Super Eagles’ FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June against South Africa and Benin Republic.
