Nigeria have received a timely boost ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, as Coventry City midfielder Frank Onyeka returned to action following a recent hand injury.
The 28-year-old was named in Coventry City's squad for their Carabao Cup tie against Aston Villa on Wednesday, coming off the bench in the 73rd minute to replace Caleb Yirenkyi.
Onyeka had been a fitness doubt for Nigeria's upcoming matches after picking up the injury during Coventry's 5-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion the previous weekend, reportedly following a collision with a Brighton player.
The issue turned out to be less severe than first feared, allowing Coventry boss Frank Lampard to include the former FC Midtjylland man among his substitutes for the Aston Villa clash.
Though he didn't start the game, Onyeka's 17-minute cameo offered an encouraging sign of his fitness ahead of a potential recall to the Super Eagles squad. He picked up a yellow card during his brief spell on the pitch, as Coventry went on to lose 3-1 at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
His return could not have come at a better time for Nigeria coach Eric Chelle, who has been grappling with midfield injury concerns ahead of the country's next set of international fixtures.
Nigeria will open their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign against Madagascar on September 25, before facing Guinea-Bissau away four days later on September 29.
Chelle named his final squad for the qualifiers on Thursday, with Onyeka's return giving the Super Eagles coach an additional option in midfield heading into the crucial fixtures.
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