Finidi provides update on Dele-Bashiru's injury, hails performance of Man City-reared midfielder 

Nigeria manager Finidi George has provided an update on the injury suffered by Manchester City-reared midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru during the second half of his side's 1-1 draw against South Africa's Bafana Bafana at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Friday night. 

The Hatayspor star was stretchered off the pitch just past the hour mark after he was badly fouled by a South African player as he went for goal.

Dele-Bashiru, making only his second appearance for the national team, was the Super Eagles saviour as his goal thirty-seven seconds into the second half ensured the three-time African champions were not humiliated by Bafana Bafana in front of their fans in Uyo.

Finidi revealed at the post-match press conference that the Super Eagles number 10 against South Africa will be monitored by the national team medics before a decision is taken on his participation for the upcoming match against Benin. 

He told reporters: "On his injury, he had a knock, the medical staff will observe him and see how he feels. Those knocks, you will not know until you wake up in the morning and see how the body reacts."

Finidi was delighted with the performance of Dele-Bashiru on his competitive debut for the Super Eagles and highlighted that his decision to hand the Turkish-based midfielder a start paid off handsomely. 

"It was a great performance from him, that was why he played. People talk about changes but not about fielding a player. If he didn't do well, I know that question will come back to me,' why did he play?'

"Now that he has played everybody is saying good performance. Like I said leave this job to the coaches to do.

"We want to qualify and we'll do everything in our power to make sure we qualify. This is Nigeria and we know the pressure is there."

With his appearance against South Africa, English-German-Nigerian midfielder Dele-Bashiru is now cap-tied to the Super Eagles for life.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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