Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is doubtful for Nigeria’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe after sustaining an ankle injury during Lazio’s Serie A match against Venezia. Softfootball notes that the midfielder was forced off the pitch in the first half following a heavy collision.
The incident occurred when Dele-Bashiru clashed with Alessio Zerbin, resulting in a sprained ankle that required medical staff to carry him from the field. Rade Belahyane came on as his replacement as Lazio struggled to break down a resilient Venezia defense.
Lazio manager Marco Baroni provided a cautious update following the game, noting the difficulty of recovery amidst a congested fixture list. He stated:
We have to verify his condition. He felt pain when he took that shot. Playing every two or three days, it’s going to be difficult to get him recovered for the next match.
The manager also credited Venezia for their defensive resilience, which frustrated Lazio’s attacking rhythm throughout the contest.
The injury comes at a critical time for the Super Eagles, who are preparing for vital qualifying matches. Eric Chelle’s side will face the Amavubi of Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on March 21.
The medical team will monitor his progress closely in the coming days to determine his availability for the international break.
