Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle’s choice to omit Fisayo Dele-Bashiru from Nigeria’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers this month has been validated, with Lazio manager Marco Baroni confirming the midfielder is still dealing with an ankle injury.
Dele-Bashiru picked up the injury during Lazio’s goalless draw against Venezia in Serie A, sidelining him for three matches across all competitions, including the first leg of their UEFA Europa League clash against Viktoria Plzeň.
The Nigerian has been one of Lazio’s standout performers this season, particularly in the Europa League, where he has registered two goals and two assists.
Although the 23-year-old returned to the bench in Lazio’s 1-1 draw against Udinese, he was left out of Chelle’s final 23-man squad.
Meanwhile, Baroni’s latest update on the player has reinforced Chelle’s reasoning.
Speaking in a pre-match press conference ahead of Lazio’s Europa League return leg at the Stadio Olimpico, Baroni addressed the situation:
“Castellanos is fine and will be in the game. In any case, I will make some assessments together with him. We will reflect on Nino Tavares, while Dele-Bashiru still has some pain in his ankle and I will have a chat with him too,” Baroni said.
Though he had a slow start to the season, the Nigerian midfielder has steadily grown into an important figure under Baroni, who has consistently backed his talent.
So far, he has contributed five goals and two assists across 23 appearances in all competitions.
His absence from Nigeria’s squad means Chelle will have to explore alternative options in midfield for the crucial games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, and Joe Aribo are among those expected to play key roles in filling the void.
