Nigeria international Raphael Onyedika faces up to six weeks on the sidelines after sustaining a hamstring injury during Club Brugge’s dramatic 5-5 draw against Westerlo on Wednesday night.

The 23-year-old midfielder was forced off in the 16th minute, dealing with an important blow to both his club and country ahead of a busy run of fixtures.

Onyedika’s absence comes at an important time for Brugge, who are set for a challenging schedule in the coming weeks. Nicky Hayen’s men travel to Standard Liège in the Belgian Pro League on Saturday before a crucial UEFA Champions League clash with Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium next Tuesday.

The side will then host reigning league champions Union Saint-Gilloise in what could prove to be a decisive domestic encounter before the international break.

The injury also rules Onyedika out of Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and the Benin Republic in November.

His absence leaves the Super Eagles short of options in defensive midfield, a position where he has steadily grown in influence since breaking into the squad.

Onyedika had featured in eight league matches this season and was instrumental in Brugge’s Champions League campaign, notably scoring in their emphatic 4-0 victory over AS Monaco last week.

The former FC Midtjylland midfielder will now undergo rehabilitation as Brugge and Nigeria hope for his quick recovery.