Hull City are reportedly in discussions with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to delay Semi Ajayi’s release for the Super Eagles’ 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) camp in Morocco, with the club hoping to keep the in-form defender until after their December 14 fixture away at Millwall.
Ajayi is currently scheduled to join the Super Eagles camp on December 10, following Wrexham’s visit to the MKM Stadium. This timeline leaves him available for only two more matches, including Friday night’s home clash against Middlesbrough.
Read Also: Blow for Nigeria as Semi Ajayi out of AFCON qualifiers
His likely early departure poses a challenge for Hull City, especially after the defender delivered a Man of the Match performance over the weekend, scoring his first Tigers goal in their 2-1 win at Stoke City.
However, talks with Nigerian officials are ongoing, with Hull pushing to keep Ajayi until after the Millwall game. If negotiations succeed, the centre-back would depart from Heathrow immediately after the match on December 14.
Read Also: Chelle names 54-man Super Eagles provisional squad for AFCON 2025
Ajayi was included in Eric Chelle’s 54-man provisional squad for AFCON 2025, a list featuring established Super Eagles stars and exciting home-based talents. Nigeria, runners-up in the previous edition, open their campaign against Tanzania on December 23 in Fez.
If Nigeria advance to the final, Ajayi could miss as many as six Championship fixtures and the FA Cup third-round tie, returning only after January 20. He is, however, expected to be available for Hull’s January 24 home game against Swansea City.
