“A strange situation” – West Bromwich Albion boss delighted about Ajayi’s return following Super Eagles ordeal in Libya

West Bromwich Albion head coach, Carlos Corberan, has expressed his delight about the safe return of Super Eagles defender, Semi Ajayi, to his club side, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 30-year-old has played in all of the Baggies’ EFL Championships games this season, starting all nine, but was only subject to four minutes on the pitch for the Super Eagles in the just-concluded International break.

The former Arsenal man came on in the 90th minute to help Nigeria seal a 1-0 win against Libya at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, before the Super Eagles travelled to Libya for the away leg, where they were left stranded in the airport without food, and internet for over 13 hours.

“The club was in contact. It was not easy, we have to adapt to the situation. It is true that he didn’t have the minutes that normally he usually is getting when travelling but at the same time he was having minutes before he went,” Corberan said in quotes revealed by Express and Star, highlighting his side kept contact with Ajayi to ensure he was safe.

“It has been a strange situation but something that is totally out of our control. What we can do is to adapt and find the best way to help him to recover and make him ready for the game. That is what we can control.”

The Spanish coach also admitted that Ajayi’s recovery is right on track as he should have had enough to rest and get back into shape.

“I think it is enough, Thursday and Friday, because it is not the first time I have done this with the players. It’s different preparation. You would like to have the players always during the week but when they go with their national team always they have these challenges and we need to adapt to them. There is a reason why the players go with their national team because they are good players in their country and this is an important thing too. Semi didn’t play but he was playing minutes in a row (for us) so probably this small rest is not going to be negative for him.

We have received right now only three players from their national teams Torbjorn Heggem, Mikey Johnston and Jayson Molumby because they finished their games Sunday. Thursday we will start to work with Semi Ajayi and Paddy McNair and Mason Holgate,” the 41-year-old concluded.

West Bromwich Albion take on Oxford United on Saturday in what could be the clash that takes the Maggies to the top of the EFL Championships.