Isaac James favoured to replace injured Zaidu in Nigeria squad

Isaac James is the leading candidate to replace injured Zaidu Sanusi as Nigeria prepare for their AFCON qualifiers in September, according to OwnGoalNigeria.com.

The 22-year-old left-back, who plays for Portuguese club Alverca, has emerged as the preferred option after Sanusi suffered an abductor injury that is expected to keep him out for two months.

James has been under consideration by Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle since last season, when he established himself at Alverca following his move from French club Lorient. He joined the Portuguese side as a free agent and subsequently made a breakthrough with the club.

Chelle’s interest in the defender has continued into the current season. The coach has sent scouts to watch James on three separate occasions, with the reports from those assignments said to have made a strong impression.

Sanusi’s absence has opened up a place in the squad, and James is now viewed as the most likely player to benefit. However, his possible inclusion is not without competition, with Ola Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel also having experience of playing at left-back despite being primarily right-backs.

Both Aina and Osayi-Samuel have been used in the position previously, meaning Chelle has alternatives available as he considers how to cover for Sanusi. James’ recent progress at Alverca, together with the positive assessments from the coach’s scouts, has nevertheless put him at the front of the queue.

Bruno Onyemaechi is expected to remain Nigeria’s first-choice left-back for the September matches. James would therefore be brought into the preparations as cover and as a potential replacement for Sanusi rather than to displace Onyemaechi from the starting role.

The decision will be shaped by Sanusi’s injury and the need to maintain depth in the position during the upcoming AFCON qualifiers. With the injured player expected to miss around two months, Chelle must assess whether to turn to a specialist left-back in James or rely on players such as Aina and Osayi-Samuel, who are accustomed to operating on the opposite flank.

James’ emergence has made him the favoured solution. His performances for Alverca since arriving from Lorient have kept him on the national-team radar, while the repeated scouting visits this season suggest that Chelle has followed his development closely.

Nigeria will now continue preparations with Onyemaechi retaining his place as the established option on the left and James considered the leading candidate to provide additional cover. Aina and Osayi-Samuel remain among the other possibilities as Chelle finalises his plans for the September fixtures.