Dele-Bashiru sidelined for three weeks

Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has a tear in his right thigh. He will be out for at least three weeks, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

The 25-year-old Nigerian player got hurt during Lazio’s 1-0 win against Bologna at the Renato Dall’Ara on Monday. He had to leave the game in the 54th minute. Davide Frattesi took his place and scored the only goal of the match five minutes later.

Medical tests confirmed the injury's severity, as reported by Il Messaggero and La Lazio Siamo Noi. This injury will keep Dele-Bashiru off the pitch for several weeks.

Gennaro Gattuso had given him a starting position after a good showing in Lazio’s Coppa Italia loss to Mantova. But now, his early-season progress is interrupted by this injury.

Dele-Bashiru will miss Lazio’s home match against Genoa on August 30. He will also not play in their Serie A games against Udinese on September 7 and AC Milan on September 13.

He is uncertain for the trip to Venezia on September 19. His return will depend on how quickly he recovers.

This injury may also affect his chance to play in Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches. The Super Eagles are set to meet Madagascar on September 23 and Guinea-Bissau on September 27.

If he takes three weeks to heal, he may return around mid-September. This could give him a shot at playing before Nigeria’s qualifiers. But a longer recovery might mean he misses one or both games.