Zaidu Sanusi, the full-back for both the Super Eagles and FC Porto, has impressively bounced back to top form following a serious cruciate ligament injury sustained last year, according to Soccernet.ng.
After being sidelined for 28 matches, the 28-year-old defender has gradually reclaimed his position within Porto’s first-team lineup.
His perseverance paid off spectacularly last night when he was subbed on in the 68th minute and netted a goal, contributing to Porto’s commanding 4-1 victory over Arouca despite being down to ten men. This win propelled the Dragons to the summit of Liga Portugal.
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Coach Francesco Farioli Applauds Zaidu Sanusi’s Contributions
Following the match, Porto’s head coach Francesco Farioli expressed high praise for Sanusi’s recent performances and dedication during training sessions.
“I’ve mentioned several times how much of an impact he’s made in training,” the 36-year-old coach shared, as reported by Sapo Portugal.
“Now that he’s earning more playing time, it’s clear he possesses all the qualities needed to compete at the highest level.
“He combines physical strength with technical skill, and the only thing left is for him to build greater self-confidence.”
Atlético Madrid at the Estadio do Dragao, on August 3, 2025 in Porto, Portugal” width=”1024″ height=”683″ />“His goal was a fitting reward for the effort he’s been putting in during training, and I’m optimistic he will continue to develop and support the team,” Farioli added.
“It’s encouraging because it reflects the valuable contributions from everyone on the field.
“The performances of Deniz [Gul], Samu, Alberto [Costa], Pablo [Rosario], and Dominik [Prpic] have been outstanding, and we must maintain this momentum. Their chances are just around the corner,” concluded the Italian coach.
While Olympiacos‘ Bruno Onyemaechi and Werder Bremen‘s Felix Agu have been the preferred full-back choices for coach Eric Chelle since May, Sanusi’s resurgence to full fitness and form might influence the Franco-Malian manager’s selections for the upcoming October international fixtures.