Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic don express serious concern about di fitness of Nigeria defender Semi Ajayi as di club dey prepare to release im and oda key players for national team assignments. According to PUNCH Sports Extra report, Jakirovic talk say while di two-week break fit help players rest, di risk of injuries during international duty no fit ignore.
Ajayi, wey be one of di most experienced players for Hull squad, go join Nigeria for upcoming matches against Iran and Jordan. Di coach acknowledge say international football important for players, especially with World Cup dey come, but im emphasize say player fitness remain top priority. “It’s good we have a two-week break,” Jakirovic tell BBC. “We have eight international players, and I hope they get some minutes, but it’s more important they stay healthy.”
Di manager highlight di logistical wahala wey im squad go face as several players go travel across continents. “We may have some problems when they return from the international games – Ivor Pandur (Croatia) is in South America, Semi Ajayi (Nigeria) is in Jordan, and Liam Miller is with Canada in Toronto, so that could be a problem, but we will see when they come back,” Jakirovic add.
Hull City current position as fifth for Championship table mean di club need all im key players fit as dem dey push for promotion to Premier League. Ajayi experience and defensive stability don dey vital for di team when im dey available. Di club don face injury problems throughout di season, and Ajayi own case dey particularly worrisome because im just return from recurring hamstring problem.
Di defender don play just two full matches since January and still dey regain full fitness after suffering multiple setbacks last year. One of di injuries happen during Nigeria third-place match against Egypt at di 2025 Africa Cup of Nations wey hold for Morocco. Dis na make di coach concern increase as any further injury setback fit affect Hull promotion chances for di closing stages of di season.
Jakirovic talk say im understand say World Cup dey come and players want make dem include for dia national team lists, but clubs must find balance during such periods. “I understand the World Cup is coming, and the players want to be on their list, and it is a big dream for them. We are proud of our international players,” di manager explain.
Hull just defeat Sheffield Wednesday 3-1 before di league pause for two weeks, but Jakirovic admit say im no dey comfortable about di potential physical toll on im squad, especially those wey go travel long distances. Di Championship side need Ajayi and oda international players return from dia national team duties fit and ready as crucial fixtures dey ahead for di race for promotion.
Di situation dey show di tension wey dey between club commitments and international football, especially for players wey dey play for clubs wey dey fight for important positions for dia leagues. Hull promotion push mean di club no fit afford further injury setbacks, particularly to key players like Ajayi wey defensive contributions don dey important for di team success dis season.
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