Super Eagles midfielder Alhassan Yusuf has been left out of Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, with injury emerging as the main reason for his absence.

Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle named his squad for the September qualifiers, but Yusuf was not included despite his strong performances for both the Super Eagles and New England Revolution in recent months.

Yusuf Ruled Out With Hamstring Injury

According to reports, the New England Revolution midfielder suffered a hamstring injury during his club’s 2-1 victory over New York City FC.

Yusuf was forced off in the 19th minute after picking up the injury following a challenge, and the problem is expected to keep him out for several weeks.

Soccernet reports that the 26-year-old could be sidelined for up to six weeks, ruling him out of Nigeria’s two September AFCON qualifying matches.

Another Nigerian football outlet, OwnGoalNigeria, also reported that Yusuf had been ruled out of the qualifiers because of a hamstring injury.

His Recent Super Eagles Form Had Put Him in Contention

Yusuf’s omission comes despite an impressive return to the national team earlier this year.

The midfielder played a key role in Nigeria’s 2026 Unity Cup campaign and was particularly influential in the final against Jamaica, where he scored twice as the Super Eagles secured a 3-0 victory.

His performances had strengthened his case for continued involvement under Chelle after he was previously left out of Nigeria’s squad for the 2025 AFCON.

Chelle Was Expected to Consider Yusuf

Yusuf had been among the midfielders competing for places in Chelle’s squad following his performances for New England Revolution and Nigeria.

His absence from the latest squad is therefore understood to be injury-related rather than a fresh decision to drop him from the coach’s plans.

Chelle has also had to make other changes to his squad because of injuries, with reports indicating that several players were unavailable or doubtful ahead of the qualifiers.

When Will Yusuf Return?

The length of Yusuf’s recovery will determine when he can return to action for New England Revolution and the Super Eagles.

With Nigeria’s September fixtures coming too soon for the midfielder, his immediate priority will be recovering fully before attempting to return to club football and, subsequently, the national team.

Nigeria are scheduled to face Madagascar on September 25 before travelling to Morocco to play Guinea-Bissau on September 29 in their opening 2027 AFCON qualifying fixtures.

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is set to hand Alverca defender Isaac James his first senior invitation to the Nigerian national team ahead of the September 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The 22-year-old left-back has reportedly attracted Chelle’s attention with his performances for Portuguese Primeira Liga side Alverca, where he has started all six league matches this season.

James’ expected invitation comes as Nigeria look for additional options at left-back following Zaidu Sanusi’s injury.

Isaac James Emerges as New Left-Back Option

According to reports from Portugal, James is expected to be invited for Nigeria’s upcoming AFCON 2027 qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

The Alverca defender has played 514 minutes in the Portuguese league this season and has contributed two assists. His latest appearance came in Alverca’s 3-1 away victory over Nacional on September 12.

His ability to operate in more than one defensive role has also strengthened his case. James can play as a traditional left-back, left wing-back or on the left side of a back three.

Sanusi Injury Opens Door for James

The expected call-up comes after Porto left-back Zaidu Sanusi suffered a right adductor injury during his club’s 3-0 victory over Académico de Viseu on August 29.

Sanusi was substituted early in the match and is expected to spend about two months on the sidelines, creating a need for additional depth in the position.

Bruno Onyemaechi remains another option for Chelle, but James’ emergence gives the coach another player to assess during the international window.

James’ Journey to Portugal

James began his football journey in Nigeria with Garden City Panthers before attracting interest from clubs abroad.

His development included a trial with Danish club FC Midtjylland in 2021 before he moved to France for an opportunity with Lorient.

Lorient subsequently signed him and placed him in their reserve structure. His competitive progress was initially affected by visa issues, but he eventually broke into the senior setup.

James made his professional debut for Lorient against Grenoble in Ligue 2 on August 24, 2024, coming on as a substitute in a 2-0 victory.

Chelle Continues to Expand Super Eagles Options

James has reportedly been on Chelle’s radar since last season, with the coach’s scouting network monitoring his progress at Alverca.

A report published earlier this month said Chelle had sent scouts to watch the young defender on three occasions this season and was impressed by the reports received.

If the invitation is confirmed and James makes the squad, the September qualifiers could mark the beginning of his senior international career with Nigeria.

For now, the expected invitation gives the young defender an opportunity to compete for a place in a Super Eagles squad undergoing changes ahead of the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.

Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau has explained that his decision to resign from office was motivated by his love for Nigeria and his desire to see the country’s football move forward.

Gusau confirmed his resignation at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, bringing to an end his three years and 11 months in charge of Nigerian football.

His resignation comes amid growing concerns over Nigeria’s recent performances in international football competitions.

Gusau Confirms Resignation

Gusau said he reached the decision after consultations with his family and friends.

According to him, he had also advised members of the NFF Executive Committee who were willing to follow his example to resign from their positions.

“I have decided to resign my position as the president of NFF after consultations with my family and friends,” Gusau said.

He added that he could not immediately confirm how many members of the NFF board had also resigned because those who were considering the move had yet to communicate their decisions directly to him.

Decision Comes After Football Setbacks

Gusau’s departure follows a difficult period for Nigerian football, with the country’s national teams recording disappointing results in some recent international competitions.

The development has generated renewed debate over the leadership and administration of the NFF, as stakeholders continue to demand improvements in the management and development of Nigerian football.

The former NFF president’s resignation therefore comes at a time when the federation is under pressure to address concerns surrounding the performance of the country’s national teams and the wider state of football administration.

Gusau Says Nigeria Remains His Priority

Despite stepping down, Gusau said his decision was driven by his desire to protect the interests of Nigerian football.

He maintained that his love for the country influenced his decision and suggested that leaving office was intended to create room for the next phase of leadership.

His resignation marks the end of his tenure at a critical point for Nigerian football, with stakeholders expected to focus on finding new leadership capable of addressing the challenges facing the federation.

What Happens Next?

The resignation is expected to trigger discussions within the NFF over the federation’s next leadership arrangement.

Attention will now shift to the NFF Executive Committee and other relevant stakeholders as they determine the process for filling the leadership vacuum.

For Nigerian football, the immediate challenge will be to restore confidence, improve the performance of the national teams and implement reforms capable of producing sustainable results.

Gusau’s departure closes one chapter in the NFF’s leadership, while the federation enters another period of transition with Nigerian football fans demanding stronger performances and better administration.