Semi Ajayi’s potential departure from West Brom in January has become more likely due to his standout performances for Nigeria, securing his place in the team ahead of the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The tournament, scheduled from January 14 to February 11, could see Ajayi miss five West Brom games if he is called up, which appears increasingly likely following his recent performances for the Super Eagles.
In the international fixtures against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, Ajayi played the full 90 minutes in both matches, earning high praise for his contributions to Nigeria’s defense. After the 1-1 draw with Lesotho, where Ajayi scored the crucial equalizer, he received a notable score of 9/10 from Nigerian news outlet Soccernet.ng. The report highlighted his instrumental role in the draw, solid defensive efforts, and commendable runs from the backline.
In the subsequent 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe, where he partnered with Calvin Bassey in central defense, Ajayi’s performance was rated 6.5/10. The report praised the synergy and communication between the defensive duo, emphasizing their growing partnership.
Ajayi’s importance in Nigeria’s defense and his developing partnership with Calvin Bassey position him as a likely first-choice defensive duo for AFCON. The strength of the Nigerian squad increases the confidence that they can go far in the tournament, possibly aiming to win the trophy.
Given Ajayi’s growing influence and reliability for Nigeria, it is increasingly probable that he will be absent from West Brom for the entire duration of the AFCON. Each strong performance for his country enhances the likelihood of Ajayi departing The Hawthorns in January to fulfill his international duties.
In other West Brom news, there are indications that another promising player may consider leaving in January, based on statements from Corberan.
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