The Super Eagles' preparations for their upcoming international friendlies against Poland and Portugal have suffered another setback, with Inter Milan-owned midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro becoming the latest player to withdraw from the squad, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.
Akinsanmiro's absence adds to the growing list of unavailable players, further complicating the team's build-up as the coaching staff continues to adjust plans ahead of the fixtures.
Initially left out of the 25-man squad for the June friendlies, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle had added the Pisa ace to the squad list following the withdrawals of midfielders Samson Tijani and Alhassan Yusuf owing to visa issues.
The official word from the Nigeria Football Federation is that Akinsanmiro is not feeling well.
However, it is known that the Beyond Limits product has yet to resolve his club future.
The 21-year-old spent the 2025–26 campaign on loan at relegated Serie A side Pisa, with an option to buy and a buy-back clause included in the deal.
Although Pisa are expected to exercise their purchase option, Akinsanmiro's parent club, Inter Milan, are reportedly keen to activate a €7.5 million buy-back clause to bring him back to the 2025–26 Serie A champions.
The Nerazzurri believe the Nigerian is valued above the €6 million fee Pisa would pay to secure him permanently, and they are planning to cash in on him for a profit in the upcoming transfer window.
With a potential transfer on the cards, combined with his illness, Akinsanmiro will be unable to add to his single Nigeria cap, earned against Egypt in a pre-Africa Cup of Nations friendly last December.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Discussions (0)