The NFF initially described his departure from camp as “personal matters” but the real reason is as wholesome as football stories get: Rafiu Durosinmi left Nigeria’s training base in Leiria to get married.
Pisa striker Rafiu Durosinmi has left the Super Eagles camp ahead of Wednesday’s friendly against Portugal in Leiria to attend his wedding, with head coach Eric Chelle approving the absence for the happy occasion, FootballInNigeria.com.ng reports. The Nigeria Football Federation had initially cited “personal matters” as the reason for Durosinmi’s early departure after the team’s 2-2 draw with Poland in Warsaw, but the real explanation emerged on social media when journalist Ojora Babatunde confirmed that the 23 year old had tied the knot with his Belgian-Nigerian bride, Praise Nwanegbo, on Friday. Friends and well wishers from across the football world attended to celebrate the couple.
Chelle’s decision to grant the request speaks to the environment the coach has built within the Super Eagles setup since taking charge in January 2025. This is a manager who has integrated NPFL players, debuted 13 players in a single international window, and built a squad culture where personal milestones are treated with the same respect as tactical sessions. Getting married is not something you reschedule around a friendly fixture, and Chelle clearly understood that without needing it explained. Fans celebrating alongside Durosinmi can also use the Bet9ja YOHAIG welcome bonus as they follow Nigeria’s June preparations from home.
What Durosinmi Has Done This Summer
Durosinmi’s departure is a minor squad inconvenience and a major personal moment, and the balance between the two is exactly right. The Pisa striker had been one of the more eye catching new faces across Nigeria’s summer international programme. He made his senior Super Eagles debut at the Unity Cup in London, coming off the bench against Zimbabwe as Nigeria won 2-0 in the semi final. The performance was noticed. Chelle handed him a starting berth in the Unity Cup final against Jamaica alongside captain Terem Moffi, and Durosinmi contributed to a 3-0 win that saw Nigeria retain the trophy. First silverware of his international career, in his second appearance, in front of a crowd in London it was the kind of debut window that a player carries with him.
He then remained in the squad for the Poland friendly in Warsaw, featuring as one of the attacking options as Nigeria led twice before conceding a stoppage-time equaliser to draw 2-2. His role across both windows confirmed he is firmly in Chelle’s plans heading into the September AFCON qualifier campaign. The Portugal friendly comes too soon after the wedding for him to return in time for tactical preparation, and Chelle made the correct call in releasing him without fuss. Those following Nigeria’s squad rotation ahead of the Portugal game can stay updated with the latest match odds at today’s Bet9ja promo code page.
The Squad Nigeria Take Into Portugal
With Durosinmi away celebrating and Igoh Ogbu ruled out with a suspected Achilles tendon rupture suffered during Saturday’s training session in Leiria, Chelle’s squad for the Portugal game has been reshaped by circumstance as much as by selection. The coach does have meaningful reinforcements, however. Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze, who were given additional time to join the camp following their respective club seasons, have both checked in. Christian Akpan, the Genk defender who was a late addition to the squad, is also in Portugal. The core of the group Calvin Bassey, Paul Onuachu, Terem Moffi, Akor Adams, Rasheedat Ajibade’s club rival in midfield Christantus Uche remain available and sharp from the Poland game.
Nigeria face a Portugal side that beat Chile 2-1 on Saturday, with Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes both featuring. Matheus Nunes remains a doubt with his fitness issue. The game at the Estadio Dr. Magalhaes Pessoa kicks off at 8:45pm Nigerian time on Wednesday, June 10. For Durosinmi, the night will be spent somewhere else entirely and that is entirely as it should be. Super Eagles supporters following the Portugal build-up and the squad’s ongoing June activities can find all the latest news and fixture odds at FootballInNigeria’s Bet9ja promo code page.
📌 Did You Know?
- Rafiu Durosinmi is one of several Nigerian players who forged their early European career in the Czech football league before moving on to more prominent leagues. He played for a Czech club before joining Pisa in Serie A, where his physicality and hold up play made him one of the more effective target forwards in Italy’s second city.
- Durosinmi stands 192 centimetres tall, making him the tallest striker in Eric Chelle’s current Super Eagles squad and one of the most physically imposing forwards in Nigerian international football. His height gives Nigeria an aerial option at set pieces that is rarely available in the current group.
- The Unity Cup, which Nigeria retained by beating Jamaica 3-0 in the final, is an annual pre-season tournament traditionally held in London. Nigeria have dominated the competition in recent editions, and Durosinmi’s debut and final starting role made him one of the tournament’s standout new names before his summer continued into Poland and was then interrupted in the best possible way by his wedding.
- Eric Chelle’s willingness to release Durosinmi for his wedding is consistent with a broader management philosophy that has built genuine loyalty within the Super Eagles squad. Several players, including those based in the NPFL, have spoken publicly about the inclusive, respectful atmosphere in the national team environment under the Franco-Malian coach.
- Igoh Ogbu’s suspected Achilles rupture during Saturday’s training in Leiria means Nigeria go into the Portugal game with two key absences Durosinmi up front and Ogbu in central defence. Calvin Bassey is expected to anchor the backline alongside Semi Ajayi, while Terem Moffi and Akor Adams are likely to lead the attack with Paul Onuachu as the backup striking option.
- Pisa, Durosinmi’s club, compete in Serie B Italy’s second division rather than Serie A. This detail matters for understanding the level of competition he operates in week to week, though his Champions League and Europa League exposure through Nigerian football and Czech league football has provided broader experience than a Serie B career alone would suggest.
- Portugal’s starting lineup against Chile on Saturday featured Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes in prominent roles as Portugal won 2-1. Ronaldo’s presence in the squad means Nigeria face their best chance ever to test a full strength Portugal side with him on the pitch — something the two countries have never done in a competitive international.
