Akor Adams long-awaited Super Eagles debut could be delayed as Sevilla raises concerns over his fitness.
The Spanish club’s manager, García Pimienta, has made it clear that the Nigerian striker must be medically cleared by Sevilla before he can join the Super Eagles for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Despite recovering from an injury, Adams was named in Nigeria’s 39-man preliminary squad for the crucial qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
However, his participation in the upcoming matches remains uncertain as Sevilla insists on ensuring he is fully fit before he returns to competitive action.
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Pimienta confirmed that Adams is currently undergoing rehabilitation with the club’s medical staff but stressed that his fitness is crucial before any decision is made regarding his call-up to the national team.
Pimienta stated, “To go with the national team, I understand that he should first be cleared by Sevilla.” He also added that if Adams is not fully fit by next week, he will not be released to join the Super Eagles, with the final decision resting on the club’s medical team.
Sevilla’s attacking options have been severely limited since the departure of Youssef En-Nesyri last summer. With Kelechi Iheanacho’s January move to Middlesbrough, academy graduate Isaac Romero is now the club’s only available center-forward.
Pimienta recently gave an update on Adams’ recovery, revealing that he has resumed light training and is working with the ball. While the club hopes to have him back soon, they remain cautious about rushing his return, given their current lack of attacking depth.
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In January, Sevilla signed Adams from Montpellier for €5.5 million, hoping to bolster their attack. However, the 24-year-old has only played nine minutes for Sevilla due to a myofascial injury to his rectus femoris muscle, sidelining him for over a month.
Adams playing for Nigeria’s Flying Eagles against USA. (Photo Credits Getty Images)
His Sevilla debut came in February against Getafe, but the injury quickly interrupted his integration into the team.
Although Adams featured for Nigeria at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, he has yet to earn a senior cap for the Super Eagles.
