Nigeria’s preparations for their crucial November international fixtures have suffered another setback, with one of their attacking options facing a prolonged spell away from competitive football.
The development also represents a difficult moment for a player who had worked his way back into prominence at club level after an uncertain period surrounding his future at AC Milan.
Samuel Chukwueze’s absence is now set to extend beyond the immediate injury concerns that had kept him out of action since October, leaving Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle without the winger for Nigeria’s upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Tanzania.
AC Milan confirmed on Wednesday, November 4, that Chukwueze had undergone successful surgery in London to repair a ruptured tendon in his left hip.
The operation was performed by Professor Ernest Schilders, with the club’s medical representative, Dr Stefano Mazzoni, in attendance. Milan confirmed that the procedure was successful and that the Nigerian international would return to Italy to begin his rehabilitation.
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The 27-year-old had been dealing with a hip problem that forced him out of action in October, interrupting what had been an encouraging start to the campaign.
Chukwueze sustained the injury during AC Milan’s Serie A encounter against Atalanta on October 18. He subsequently missed matches as the club monitored his condition and initially explored treatment options.
However, the decision was eventually taken to proceed with surgery to repair the damaged tendon in the tensor fasciae latae muscle of his left hip.
Milan’s announcement confirmed the successful outcome of the procedure but did not provide a specific recovery date.
The winger will now begin rehabilitation in Italy, with his return to competitive action dependent on his recovery and progress through the medical programme.
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Chukwueze’s injury comes at an important point in Nigeria’s attempt to recover from a disappointing start to their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.
The Super Eagles are preparing for two meetings with Tanzania in November, with the first encounter scheduled for November 13 before the return fixture in Tanzania on November 17.
Nigeria currently have three points from their opening two matches after beating Madagascar 2-1 before suffering a damaging 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau.
The result against Guinea-Bissau increased the pressure on Chelle’s side, making the upcoming double-header particularly important to their qualification hopes.
Chukwueze’s absence removes another attacking option from the manager’s plans at a time when Nigeria need greater consistency and creativity in the final third.
The former Villarreal winger offers pace, dribbling ability and the capacity to stretch opposition defences. His availability could have provided another dimension to Nigeria’s attacking options against Tanzania.
How long will Chukwueze be out?
Although AC Milan described the operation as successful, the club has not announced an official recovery timeline.
Reports from Italy have suggested that the Nigerian could be sidelined for at least three months, with some estimates placing his absence between three and five months.
That would put a possible return somewhere between early 2027 and the later months of the first quarter, depending on how his rehabilitation progresses.
The more cautious estimates have raised the possibility that Chukwueze could miss several months of action for Milan, but there is currently no confirmed date for his return.
It is therefore too early to establish whether he will be available for Nigeria’s next international window in March 2027.
Chelle must consider his attacking alternatives
With Chukwueze unavailable, Chelle will have to work with the attacking options who remain fit as Nigeria prepare for the Tanzania fixtures.
The Super Eagles still have players capable of providing width, direct running and creativity, but losing a winger who had been enjoying regular football at club level is an unwelcome development.
The manager’s immediate priority will be finding the right balance in attack and ensuring that Nigeria’s response to the Guinea-Bissau defeat is not further complicated by the absence of another important option.
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