By Peter Lynch

17th Nov, 2023 | 12:40pm

West Brom ace Semi Ajayi upstages Bayer Leverkusen star Victor Boniface in Nigeria draw v Lesotho

West Brom manager Carlos Corberan will simply be wanting his international men to stay clear of injury during the current break.

And it looks like he can breathe a sigh of relief over one player, with Semi Ajayi completing 90 minutes for Nigeria on Thursday (16 November).

The centre-back certainly impressed during his nation’s CAF 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho, netting their only goal of the game in the 1-1 draw.

Ajayi is now enjoinyg himself in front of goal, having also scored for the Baggies in their 3-1 win against Hull City earlier this month.

He was joined by Jed Wallace and Matt Phillips on the scoresheet on that day at The Hawthorns, something his fellow Nigeria stars could not manage on the international stage against Lesotho.

Ajayi was joined on the pitch by the likes of Bayer Leverkusen ace Victor Boniface and Leicester City man Kelechi Iheanacho, who boast figures of 11 and six goals respectively this season.

But the Nigerian attackers couldn’t find the back of the net to help out their nation, with Ajayi salvaging a much-needed point for the country after Motlomelo Mkwanazi put the visitors ahead.

It would be a superb achievement for the Baggies defender to reach the biggest stage in world football, but they certainly have a long way to go if they are to make it to the World Cup finals in 2026.

The centre-back will no doubt play a key role once again for Nigeria in their meeting with Zimbabwe on Sunday (19 November).

In other West Brom news, a new contract is not on the cards for one “excellent” Baggies man after a recent development at The Hawthorns.