Boost for Super Eagles: Raphael Onyedika trains with Club Brugge pre-Aston Villa

Eric Chelle has been handed a boost ahead of his first squad announcement as Super Eagles coach, with midfielder Raphael Onyedika back in training at Club Brugge on the eve of their Champions League meeting with Aston Villa.

Onyedika was not called up for Club Brugge's last game in the Jupiler Pro League after suffering an injury during a 2-1 defeat to Standard Liege on February 23.

Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen decided not to risk Onyedika for the trip to KAA Gent on Saturday, March 1.

According to HLN, the Nigeria international appeared in training on Monday morning, which puts him in contention to be included in the matchday squad to face Aston Villa.

Onyedika's return to training will be a welcome boost for Chelle, with the defensive midfielder firmly in his plans for this month's crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda's Wasps and Zimbabwe's Warriors.

Apart from the home game against Aston Villa, which he missed due to suspension, the FC Ebedei product has been in the starting lineup for all of Club Brugge's Champions League matches.

The Super Eagles star is walking a disciplinary tightrope and would miss the return leg at Villa Park if he is cautioned on Tuesday evening, having been booked in matches against Sporting CP and Atalanta. 

Onyedika scored his first goal in Nigeria colours in June 2024 but it counted for nothing as a Super Eagles team coached by George Finidi were beaten 2-1 by Gernot Rohr's Republic of Benin.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com