Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle faces a challenging situation as young striker Salim Fago Lawal is doubtful for Nigeria's upcoming March friendlies due to an injury he sustained while playing for his club, Viktoria Plzeň. Lawal, who has shown great promise this season, was removed from the match against FC Hradec Králové after scoring the opening goal, raising concerns about the severity of his injury and how it will affect his national team participation.

Nigeria is scheduled to play an international friendly against Iran on March 27, followed by another match against Jordan on March 31 as part of a four-nation tournament in Amman. This series of matches presents a critical opportunity for Lawal to earn his first full cap with the Super Eagles, making the timing of his injury particularly unfortunate. His performance in the past year has elevated expectations, and missing out on these matches could hinder his progress.

The details surrounding Lawal's injury remain unclear, which adds uncertainty to both his club and national team. Given that he has recently broken into the Super Eagles setup and was part of the squad that earned a bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup, his absence would be a setback for Coach Chelle as he prepares for the upcoming fixtures, aiming to strengthen the team's lineup ahead of future competitions.