Italian club Sampdoria have confirmed Nigeria U23 defender Stanley Amuzie ruptured his cruciate ligament in a CAF Championship qualifier in Congo and so he will be out for as long as nine months.

Initial scans in Abuja revealed the talented leftback, who is in Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh’s immediate plans, damaged his cruciate ligament by the time he was pulled out of the second leg qualifier against Congo in Pointe Noire.

Amuzie..

The injury forced him to be replaced by Chima Akas after only 25 minutes of action.

“Sampdoria have confirmed initial findings that Amuzie ruptured his cruciate ligament, it’s a similar injury a player like Osaze (Odemwingie) suffered last season at Stoke City,” a top official informed.

“As a result of this, the player will be out for a minimum of nine months, which will include his rehabilitation after surgery.”

It’s a massive blow to the career of the promising defender, who could well have been on the squad for next month’s AFCON qualifier in Tanzania to battle Kingsley Madu for the Eagles No 3 shirt.