Semi Ajayi has been ruled out of Nigeria’s crucial World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa.
The center defender picked up an injury during Hull City’s EFL Championship goalless draw against Coventry City.
Ajayi played 90 minutes, but he reported discomfort after the match. Following thorough examinations by Hull City’s medical team, the injury was confirmed as a hamstring tear.
He is expected to be sidelined until mid-September.
This marks Ajayi’s third hamstring tear in nine months. The first occurred in November last year, sidelining him for 22 games.
In total, he has now missed 36 matches due to recurring hamstring issues.
Ajayi’s absence will be a blow for both club and country. In a recent interview with Hull Live, Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirović emphasized the need for defensive reinforcements:
“The chairman will kill me if I ask for one more defender, but I will ask,” he joked. “I always ask for something because this is my job, so I must. I need to ask. What will happen in the end? You will see. If you don’t ask him like with a woman you must ask.”
Nigeria will now be without Ajayi, whose influence was crucial in his last appearance for the Super Eagles, a 2-1 win against Ghana, where he played 82 minutes and played a crucial role in the winning goal.
Head coach Eric Chelle will have just three centre-backs available: William Troost-Ekong, Igoh Ogbu, and Calvin Bassey.
These two World Cup qualifying matches are critical for Nigeria, as anything less than three points will seriously affect their chances of reaching the 2026 World Cup.
Nigeria currently sits fourth in Group C, six points behind leaders South Africa.
