• Samuel Chukwueze was left out of AC Milan’s squad on a pre-season trip to Australia

• The 25-year-old is an important player in the Super Eagles

• Nigeria will face South Africa and Benin Rep in crucial WC Qualifiers

Uncertainty continues to surround the fitness of Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze after he was excluded from AC Milan’s friendly match against AS Roma.

Chukwueze sustained a muscle injury during the Rossoneri’s 5-1 win over Cagliari on May 1. As a result, he missed the last two games by AC Milan against Torino and Salernitana, due to the ailment.

Now, he has been left out of AC Milan’s trip to Australia, with Daniele Bonera summoning twenty-three players, but the Nigerian is not part of the traveling squad.

With just eight days before Nigeria takes on South Africa in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying match in Uyo, and subsequently Benin on June 10, the winger’s fitness remains doubtful.

With Victor Osimhen also sidelined due to injury, Chukwueze’s absence would be another significant setback for the Super Eagles.

A Recurrent Injury?

Adding to the worries is Chukwueze’s history with similar injuries.

In October 2023, he suffered a comparable muscle injury, which caused him to miss three consecutive matches for AC Milan.

Super Eagles head coach Finidi George might be forced to call up another player or rely on Bayer Leverkusen’s Nathan Tella and Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman.