Head coach of Hull City, Sergej Jakirovic, has praised Nigerian defender Semi Ajayi following his return from injury during the club’s recent fixture.
Ajayi made his first appearance for Hull City since returning from international duty with the Nigeria national football team at the Africa Cup of Nations, completing the full 90 minutes in the match over the weekend.
Jakirovic admitted that although the defender showed some rustiness after his time away from the pitch, he was pleased to see the Nigerian international back in action.
“It’s great to have him back in the team,” Jakirovic said.
The Hull City manager explained that returning from injury and immediately playing a full match is never easy, especially for defenders who must maintain concentration throughout the game.
“Of course he made a few mistakes, which is normal after being out for a while,” he added.
Despite those minor errors, Jakirovic stressed that Ajayi’s presence and experience were important for the team’s defensive structure.
“What matters is that he played the full game and showed his quality,” he noted.
Ajayi has been an important figure in Hull City’s defensive lineup, bringing leadership and physical strength to the back line.
The Nigerian international’s return is expected to provide a significant boost to the club as they continue their campaign in the English league.
Jakirovic believes that with more minutes on the pitch, Ajayi will quickly regain his best form.
“The more he plays, the sharper he will become,” the coach said.
Ajayi has also been a regular member of the Super Eagles squad in recent years and remains one of Nigeria’s dependable defenders at both club and international level.
Jakirovic concluded by expressing confidence that the defender will continue to improve in the coming weeks.
“We’re happy to have him available again and we expect him to grow stronger with each match,” he stated.
