Nigeria international Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has been declared fit for the Super Eagles’ opening matches of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, handing head coach Eric Chelle a timely boost ahead of the crucial September fixtures.
The 25-year-old midfielder has returned to contention after being included in Lazio’s travelling squad for their Serie A clash against Udinese, signalling the end of a brief spell on the sidelines with a thigh injury.
Dele-Bashiru suffered the injury during Lazio’s season-opening match against Bologna on August 24, forcing him to miss the club’s previous two league fixtures. Initial reports suggested he could be sidelined for up to three weeks, raising doubts over his availability for Nigeria’s international window.
His recovery comes as welcome news for the Super Eagles, who begin their AFCON qualifying campaign with a home fixture against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on September 23. Nigeria will then travel to face Guinea-Bissau four days later in their second Group L encounter.
Group L also includes co-hosts Tanzania, who have already secured qualification for the 2027 tournament by virtue of hosting alongside Kenya and Uganda.
Dele-Bashiru has become a key figure in Eric Chelle’s midfield since making his senior breakthrough for Nigeria. The Lazio star has earned 19 caps for the Super Eagles and scored two international goals, while also playing an important role during Nigeria’s third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Chelle has repeatedly emphasised the importance of making a strong start to the qualifying campaign, particularly with the demanding four-day turnaround between the opening two matches limiting opportunities for squad rotation.
The midfielder’s return also eases concerns over Nigeria’s midfield depth, with several Super Eagles players having battled fitness issues in recent weeks.
Although it remains unclear whether Dele-Bashiru will feature for Lazio before the international break, his inclusion in the matchday squad confirms he has resumed full training and is once again available for competitive action.
For Nigeria, the recovery of one of their most dynamic midfielders provides a significant boost as the Super Eagles set their sights on securing an early advantage in the race to qualify for AFCON 2027.
