West Brom defender Semi Ajayi avoids ‘calamity’ in Nigeria v Saudi Arabia
West Brom Semi Ajayi was given a helping hand by VAR on international duty as his Nigeria side drew 2-2 with Saudi Arabia in Portugal on Friday (13 October).
Score Nigeria, an online outlet with 81,000 followers on Facebook who cover the Nigerian national team extensively, reported on the fixture.
With Nigeria already trailing to Salman Al-Faraj’s 60th-minute opener, Ajayi had a penalty awarded against him, but was handed a big reprieve.
“Nigeria were saved a further calamity in the 69th minute, when VAR ruled Semi Ajayi did not handle the ball inside the box,” Score Nigeria wrote.
An own goal from Abdulelah Al-Amri levelled the scores and Victor Iheanacho looked to have won it in the 81st minute, but a last-gasp equaliser from Mohamed Kanno meant it finished all square.
Phew
For West Brom supporters, the big thing is obviously that Semi Ajayi comes back unscathed to try and help Carlos Corberan’s side try and climb up the Championship table.
Especially given the centre-back has had a bit of trouble injury lately and was only able to take a place on the bench for the past couple of games prior to the international break.
With several first-team members already out injured, the last thing they want to see is any other key players be out for an extended period.
For Ajayi, of course, it was a moment of relief to see VAR intervene and not penalise him and leave Nigeria facing potentially going down two goals.
Essentially, everyone comes out happy(ish) for now and hopefully Ajayi can be boosted by getting some minutes in the legs and be fit and firing upon his return to The Hawthorns, with West Brom next in action against Plymouth Argyle on October 21.
In other West Brom news, Louie Barry has opened up on his exit from The Hawthorns.