Zaidu Sanusi has enjoyed a fresh start to life this season at FC Porto.
Last term he played only 102 minutes after losing his place in the team due to a long-term ACL injury.
The full-back was sidelined for over a year with the anterior cruciate ligament setback and only returned to action in January 2025.
Over the summer, Sanusi was linked with a move away from Porto, with Leeds United and Real Oviedo reportedly showing interest.
However, the defender chose to remain at the Estádio do Dragão to fight for his place.
That decision is already paying off. Sanusi is slowly winning the trust of newly appointed manager Francesco Farioli.
While he is not yet a regular starter, he has featured in all of Porto’s matches this season and provided one assist.
It’s a gradual, yet promising step toward reclaiming a permanent spot in the starting eleven.
Sanusi’s overall play this season has been impressive. He has made 113 passes with an excellent 91.1% accuracy, including 50% long ball accuracy.
Defensively, Sanusi has completed 40% of his tackles, winning 54% of his ground duels, and showing dominance in the air by winning 75% of his aerial duels.
Additionally, he has made two ball recoveries in the final third and registered 14 total recoveries, remarkably, he has only been dribbled past twice.
Sanusi has a huge opportunity to receive a recall from Eric Chelle for Nigeria’s final two World Cup qualifiers and the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
He last featured for Nigeria during AFCON 2023, where he played a crucial role in the country’s run to the final. Sanusi has 22 caps for the national team.
If he maintains his fitness and continues this good form, Sanusi could be on track for a return to the Super Eagles.
