AFCON 2025: Hull City Seek to Retain Semi Ajayi Ahead of Nigeria Duty

Hull City are in talks with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to extend Semi Ajayi’s stay at the club before he departs for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Ajayi is scheduled to join the Nigerian squad on December 11, which is a day after Hull City’s Sky Bet Championship clash with Wrexham. However, according to Hull Daily Mail, the club is hoping to get approval from the NFF to keep the centre-back until December 14, allowing him to feature in one final match before heading to Egypt.

Since his free transfer move in the summer, Ajayi has established himself as a key player for Hull, consistently delivering solid performances and adding leadership to the defence.

FIFA regulations also affect the timing of player releases. Players leaving for AFCON on or after December 15 can avoid sanctions, meaning Hull’s request to retain Ajayi until December 14 would allow him to play against Millwall at The Den before joining the Super Eagles for their preparations.