The latest Tigers news from inside the MKM Stadium dressing room
Influential Hull City defender Semi Ajayi is set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations early next month, leaving the Tigers without a key member of their squad for over a month.
Nigerian star Ajayi is expected to depart for the tournament after City‘s game against Wrexham at the MKM Stadium on December 10 and link up with Eric Chelle’s squad in Morocco.
The experienced campaigner is therefore expected to start the Tigers’ next two games at Stoke City on Saturday and against Middlesbrough next Friday night, as Sergej Jakirovic’s men look to bounce back from successive defeats in the Championship, the second of which came at home to Ipswich Town on Tuesday evening.
Ajayi will expect to be involved in Nigeria’s first game against Tanzania at the Fez Stadium on December 23, with the tournament running through until January 18, 2026.
Nigeria, who are still reeling from their shock defeat earlier this month in the Intercontinental play-off for a place at next summer’s World Cup, will be looking to go one better than last year when they were beaten in the final by Jean Michael Seri’s Ivory Coast.
In Ajayi’s absence, John Egan is likely to return to partner Charlie Hughes in the heart of the Tigers’ back four, with Akin Famewo and youngster Cathal McCarthy providing the required cover.
Jakirovic will be hopeful of coming through the busy festive period without any major defensive injuries or suspensions during Ajayi’s absence, the length of which will depend on how far the Super Eagles progress.
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