Semi Ajayi is more likely to depart West Brom in January after his exploits for Nigeria cemented his spot in the squad ahead of the African Cup of Nations.
The tournament runs from January 14 to February 11, which means that if the defender is called up, which has appeared increasingly likely in recent days, he will miss five West Brom games.
Ajayi started both international games against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, gaining great plaudits for his performances at the heart of the Super Eagles defense.
Following the 1-1 tie with Lesotho on November 16, Nigerian news outlet Soccernet.ng rated the defender a score of 9/10, writing: “Instrumental in Nigeria’s draw, not only scoring the crucial equalizer but also showcasing solid defence and commendable runs from the backline.”
His second outing was in a 1-1 tie against Zimbabwe, and Soccernet assessed his performance as 6.5/10, praising his partnership with Calvin Bassey: “Partnered with Calvin Bassey in central defense once again, the duo demonstrated more synergy and communication in working together.”
These performances demonstrated Ajayi’s importance in the heart of the defense, and his growing partnership with the Fulham defender is becoming a crucial aspect of how the national team set up, with this likely to be the first-choice duo heading into AFCON.
The strength of this Nigeria group will give them confidence that they can go far in the competition, with the goal of ultimately winning the trophy, which means the defender might be absent for the whole of the tournament.
His growing influence and demonstrated dependability for his country will play a significant role in his selection, and with each great performance, the more probable it is that Ajayi will left The Hawthorns in January to head off on international duty.
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