The New England Revolution midfielder made his first appearance since mid September in a 2-1 loss to Inter Miami, a welcome sign for Eric Chelle before the Tanzania double-header.
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Super Eagles midfielder Alhassan Yusuf is back in action after an injury layoff. He came on as a 76th-minute substitute for New England Revolution in their 2-1 defeat to Inter Miami at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, November 1.
The visitors won through Lionel Messi’s 83rd-minute strike. Dániel Gazdag had put New England ahead in the 53rd minute, and Germán Berterame equalised in the 69th minute from a Messi assist. Yusuf played for around 14 minutes at the end, and it was his first appearance in more than six weeks.
He had been out since a hamstring injury in New England’s 2-1 win at New York City FC in mid September. The club said at the time that he would miss at least six weeks, and the problem also kept him out of Eric Chelle’s squad for the qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Why Chelle Will Be Watching
Yusuf had become an important figure for Nigeria before the injury. He was a key member of the squad that retained the Unity Cup in June, and he scored his first two Super Eagles goals in the 3-0 win over Jamaica.
The Super Eagles now host Tanzania in Uyo on Friday, November 13, before travelling to Dar es Salaam for the return leg on Tuesday, November 17. Chelle has yet to name his squad, so Yusuf’s fitness will be one of the questions the coach has to answer. Fans who like to back Nigeria in these games can read about the Bet9ja referral code before kick-off.
Nigeria cannot afford to drop points in this window. They have three points from two games, behind leaders Guinea-Bissau on six, and they need wins to stay in the race for qualification.
Revolution Still Chasing Second
New England’s defeat leaves them with plenty to think about. Second place in the Eastern Conference will now be decided on the final day of the regular season, and the club will want Yusuf at full fitness for that match.
The 26 year old joined the Revolution from Royal Antwerp in 2024, and his contract runs to the end of 2027. Readers who follow Nigerian stars abroad can check Bet9ja’s promotion for Nigerian fans as they keep up with the international break.
A short cameo is only the first step. Yusuf now needs more minutes to rebuild match fitness, and he will hope to start the next game for his club. A strong run of form would make it much harder for Chelle to leave him out.
Chelle has several midfield options, but Yusuf showed his energy and work rate at the Unity Cup. If he stays fit, he could give the coach another useful option in the middle of the park.
The coming days will show whether the midfielder has done enough to make the squad. New Bet9ja users can look at Bet9ja’s YOHAIG sign-up deal while they wait for Chelle’s list.
📌 Did You Know?
- Yusuf was born on July 18, 2000, and he is 26 years old.
- His two goals against Jamaica in the Unity Cup matched the number he had scored in 14 MLS appearances at that stage of the season.
- Yusuf missed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations squad because the MLS season had ended and New England were not in action.
- Lionel Messi was involved in both of Inter Miami’s goals in the comeback win, scoring the winner and setting up Berterame’s equaliser.
- Yusuf made his Super Eagles debut at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, starting the 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea before leaving the pitch injured.
