Blackburn Rovers Defender Overcomes Injury Scare to Rejoin Teammates in Marrakech.

AFCON 2025 Ryan Alebiosu

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been handed a major boost ahead of their AFCON 2025 quarter-final clash, with defender Ryan Alebiosu returning to full training following a short injury layoff.

The 24-year-old Blackburn Rovers right-back sustained a deep cut to his right leg during Nigeria’s final group stage match against Uganda, where he made an impressive senior international debut in a 3-1 victory. The incident occurred when Uganda’s Aziz Kayondo shoved him into the advertising boards, raising initial concerns that the injury could sideline him for the rest of the tournament in Morocco.

Alebiosu missed the Super Eagles’ dominant 4-0 Round of 16 win over Mozambique but has made a swift recovery. He rejoined his teammates for training on Thursday after the squad’s arrival in Marrakech, putting him in contention for selection.

The quarter-final against two-time champions Algeria promises to be a thrilling encounter, set for Saturday at the iconic Grand Stade de Marrakech. Nigeria topped their group with maximum points and will look to Alebiosu’s defensive solidity and attacking contributions from the right flank to help secure a spot in the semi-finals.

Alebiosu’s rapid return is a testament to his resilience and the Super Eagles’ medical team’s efforts, providing head coach Eric Chelle with more options in defense as Nigeria chases a fourth AFCON title.

Keep up with all the latest AFCON 2025 action, including live updates from the Nigeria vs Algeria showdown, right here on sportblits.com.