Ajayi Injury Scare Passes as Hull Defender Returns With Assist vs Oxford

Ajayi’s Nigeria Injury Scare Clears as He Provides Assist for Hull City

The worst fears did not materialise. Semi Ajayi returned from Super Eagles duty with an injury concern — and promptly played 90 minutes, providing an assist in Hull City’s 1-1 draw with Oxford United on Good Friday.

Ajayi had picked up a knock during Nigeria’s friendly against Iran, which forced him out before the Jordan fixture in Turkey. The severity was unclear. Hull and the Super Eagles waited.

But he trained, started, and lasted the full game. His long pass found Mohamed Belloumi, who controlled it on his chest, shook off defender Ruben Roosken and finished with a deflected left-footed shot inside four minutes. Hull scored first. Oxford equalised nine minutes later through Cameron Brannagan’s penalty.

It was Ajayi’s first goal involvement since November 2025.

His absence for Nigeria, meanwhile, gave Rangers centre-back Emmanuel Fernandez a chance — and Fernandez took it, scoring on his first Super Eagles start.

Ajayi will want that shirt back. Friday showed he is fit enough to fight for it.