Early concerns surrounding Super Eagles debutant Ryan Alebiosu’s availability for the remainder of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have now been eased, bringing relief to both the Nigerian camp and fans. Reports had initially suggested that the newly capped defender could be sidelined for the rest of the tournament in Morocco due to an injury sustained during his first international outing. These fears sparked anxiety, especially given Alebiosu’s promising display and the importance of squad depth at a major competition like AFCON.
Alebiosu impressed on his debut for Nigeria, playing the full 90 minutes in the Super Eagles’ encounter with Uganda on Tuesday in Fes. Despite completing the match without visible difficulty, it later emerged that he had suffered a deep cut on his preferred right leg. This development led to speculation that the injury might be serious enough to rule him out of the tournament, casting doubt over his immediate international future and Nigeria’s defensive options.
However, those worries have since been put to rest following clarification from his club manager. Blackburn Rovers head coach Valérien Ismaël confirmed that the injury is not a major concern and should not keep the defender out of action. Speaking on the situation, Ismaël explained that Alebiosu came through the match well and is not facing any serious setback. His reassurance has effectively dispelled fears of a prolonged absence, leaving the door open for Alebiosu to continue his AFCON campaign with the Super Eagles.