Nigeria international Bright Osayi-Samuel has shared his profound disappointment regarding the injury setback suffered by his defensive colleague, Ryan Alebiosu. The Blackburn Rovers right-back earned his first senior cap for the Super Eagles during the final Group C fixture of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations against Uganda on Tuesday.
While the 24-year-old delivered a commendable performance to help Nigeria secure a 3-1 victory and a perfect group-stage record, the occasion was dampened by a significant injury to his right leg sustained during the heat of the encounter.
Medical assessments following the match indicate that the former Arsenal youth prospect may face a month-long period of rehabilitation. This projected timeline likely rules him out of the remainder of the tournament in Morocco, including the upcoming Round of 16 clash against Mozambique. Osayi-Samuel, who watched from the sidelines as Alebiosu filled his position with distinction, expressed a mix of pride in his teammate’s achievement and sympathy for the unfortunate timing of the physical ailment.
“Ryan had a great debut and it was good to see,” Osayi-Samuel said to Elegbete TV Sports. “But, unfortunately, getting injured on your debut is a bit sad. But overall, I am sure he’ll be happy he made his debut at the AFCON and played well. I wish him all the best.”
Head coach Éric Chelle now faces a tactical adjustment as the team prepares for the knockout stages. While Osayi-Samuel remains the primary choice for the right-back role, the loss of Alebiosu reduces the squad’s depth during a period of high-intensity fixtures. Despite the setback, the atmosphere within the Nigerian camp remains positive, as the players rallied around Alebiosu during their New Year’s Day recovery session. The Super Eagles will look to channel this solidarity into their performance on Monday, January 5, 2026, as they aim to advance toward a fourth continental title.
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