Nigeria midfielder Okechukwu Azubuike set for lengthy layoff

By Saheed Afolabi

Nigeria midfielder, Okechukwu Azubuike is set to spend a lengthy time on the sidelines after sustaining a Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury in a preseason game against Ümraniyespor while playing for his club Çaykur Rizespor.

The Super Eagles midfielder is set to spend up to nine months on the treatment table as he races to get his career back on track.

Through an official statement from the club, Azubuike was admitted to an orthopedic hospital where a surgery would take place under the supervision of a specialist.

“Our professional football player Okechukwu Godson Azubuike, who was injured in the friendly match played with Ümraniyespor at the camp, was admitted to Acıbadem Maslak Hospital Orthopedics and Traumatology Arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and cartilage repair surgery was performed by specialist Prof Dr Mehmet Emin Erdil,” the club wrote on social media.

After loosing their first game of the Turkish Super Lig 2023/2024 season 2-1 to Adana Demirspor, Çaykur Rizespor will lock horns with Alanyaspor on August 19.