Nigeria international faces late assessment for away clash

By Ed Emeanua

Semi Ajayi will face further assessment before Hull City away clash against Birmingham.

The Nigerian featured for the Super Eagles against Benin’s Cheetahs on Tuesday in an Africa FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Uyo, Nigeria.

Ajayi, who recently returned after a lengthy injury layoff has only played for ‘The Tigers” twice this season, totaling just 98 minutes of top footballing action.

It’s good that he (Semi Ajayi) played, and he played a good game. Nigeria has a very good national team with a lot of very good players on a high level, and I’m happier because of that, so we will see how he feels.”

However, faced with fewer defensive options due to injuries and loss of form, Eric Chelle’s side threw Ajayi into the crucial WCQ in which he excelled.

The Tigers center back played the entire game against Cheetahs for Nigeria in which Super Eagles booked a playoff spot following their 4-0 spanking of Benin’s team.

Ajayi was seen as a standout in Super  Eagles defense in the match in which Nigeria also kept a clean sheet.

Tigers boss Serjev Jakirovic feels the Nigerian merits consideration for the away clash with Birmingham on Saturday.

“It’s good that he (Semi Ajayi) played, and he played a good game,” Jankovic said ahead of his side’s trip.

“Nigeria has a very good national team with a lot of very good players on a high level, and I’m happier because of that, so we will see how he feels.”

Birmingham City have beaten Hull once in their recent 10 league encounters against Hull City (D4 L5) and are without  a victory in their last three games (D1 L2).

Tigers are undefeated in their previous five league visits to Birmingham City (W2 D3), even holding down a clean sheet in their last three visits.