Super Eagles defender Zaidu Sanusi is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering an adductor injury during Porto’s 3-0 victory over Académico de Viseu on Saturday.
Medical examinations conducted on Sunday confirmed the injury, with Portuguese outlet O Jogo reporting that the 29-year-old could return after the next international break.
Sanusi was forced out of the game in the 17th minute after hurting his right leg while attempting to play the ball. Despite receiving treatment, he was unable to continue and was replaced by Martim Fernandes.
Porto had earlier confirmed that the Nigerian was included in the club’s medical report and would undergo additional tests to establish the full extent of the injury.
Porto manager Francesco Farioli had expressed concern over Sanusi’s condition immediately after the match.
“Zaidu’s looks like something very serious, and Jan seems to have twisted his knee. We’ll see,” Farioli said, according to OneFootball.
The setback comes at a difficult time for Sanusi, who had featured every minute of Porto’s league campaign before the injury and remains part of Farioli’s plans despite entering the final year of his contract.
His projected two-month absence could also see him miss Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which are due to start next month.
Sanusi’s injury came as Porto extended their perfect league start, with Andre Silva, Gabri Veiga and William Gomes all finding the net for a fourth straight victory.
The win keeps Porto at the summit with 12 points from four matches, two points clear of Sporting CP.
