West Brom star Semi Ajayi featured as Nigeria drew 1-1 with South Africa
West Brom star Semi Ajayi featured as Nigeria drew 1-1 with South Africa
Match

West Brom ace Semi Ajayi wows national media in 'excellent', 'brilliant' Nigeria display

Dan Godfrey
Dan Godfrey

Dan is a sports writer and broadcaster, who wrote for Breaking Media Limited's club sites between May 2024 and May 2025. Graduating from the University of Huddersfield in 2018 with First Class Honours in Sports Journalism, Dan has worked with several EFL clubs, as well as with BBC Radio, talkSPORT and TNT Sports. He previously resided in Sydney, Australia, where he continued his career as a freelance writer and broadcaster in various sports.

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West Brom defender Semi Ajayi earned plaudits for Nigeria over the weekend following his display in the nation's 3-0 win over Benin.

Numerous outlets in the Nigerian national press credited Ajayi for an "excellent" and "brilliant" performance on Saturday evening, culminating in a clean sheet to lift the Super Eagles top of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group.

Among Ajayi's teammates to feature were Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi and Calvin Bassey, also currently plying their trade in England.

Pulse Sports [7 September] gave the 30-year-old a 7/10 rating, claiming he "stood strong ... making sure nothing got past him".

Afrik-Foot [7 September] raised the bar with a 7.6/10 for Ajayi, describing his defensive positioning as "excellent" and that he showed "great composure" with some "impressive long passes".

SoccerNet [7 September] replicated the 7.6 score, again complimenting his passing range as "brilliant" and noted that his "marking was good, he was quite composed".

West Brom star Semi Ajayi shining for his national team

Ajayi has not only been settled in a Baggies shirt for over five years now, but is also set to scoop his 40th full Nigerian cap should he feature against Rwanda in Kigali on Tuesday afternoon.

The reliable defender enjoyed more fortune on the international stage on Saturday than Jayson Molumby, whose Republic of Ireland side were beaten by England in Dublin.

Ajayi was not always first-choice for Carlos Corberan last season, but acts as a superb influence on the dressing room and offers versatility in both defence and deep in the midfield.

Semi Ajayi with West Brom badge
West Brom and Nigeria's Semi Ajayi

Following the departure of Cedric Kipre, Ajayi has slotted in excellently alongside Kyle Bartley at the back in a previously familiar partnership, and one which has so far worked wonders as Albion have conceded just twice in four games.

The experienced stalwart is enjoying his regular football again at The Hawthorns, and excelling for his nation as Nigeria look to seal their place at the upcoming AFCON as quickly as possible.

In other West Brom news, an opportunity which came and went to sign Sorba Thomas.

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West Bromwich Albion
Semi Ajayi
Nigeria
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