Super Eagles star faces race to be fit for Hoffenheim vs Hamburg clash

Super Eagles striker Terem Moffi's attempt to kick-start his Hamburg career has hit another stumbling block, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigeria international striker is facing a race against time to recover from a knee problem before the Bundesliga returns this weekend.

Hamburg coach Merlin Polzin has refused to put a date on the 27-year-old's comeback after the knee reacted more severely than expected following his appearance against Cologne on September 19.

Moffi started the 2-1 victory but lasted only 45 minutes before being replaced by Yussuf Poulsen. He subsequently missed training and Hamburg's friendly against Copenhagen on October 4, while light running has so far been his only return to the pitch.

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Super Eagles and Hamburg striker Terem Moffi. Photo by IMAGO

“We need to get to know his (Moffi's) knee a little better through working together. The knee reacted a bit more than I initially thought. Now we have to wait and see what happens this week,” Polzin told Kicker per Flashscore.

Hoffenheim return now uncertain for Super Eagles star Moffi

Hamburg's next Bundesliga assignment is away to Hoffenheim on October 10, leaving Moffi with limited time to regain full training fitness. Reports from Germany currently puts his availability in doubt, with Hamburg determined not to accelerate the rehabilitation process.

The setback comes at an awkward point in Moffi's German adventure. He has appeared in all four league matches but has started only two, accumulating 177 minutes without scoring or assisting. Bundesliga statistics record just three shots on target-related attempts and no goal involvement.

His Bundesliga introduction has therefore been more of a gradual ignition than the immediate attacking spark Hamburg hoped for when handing him the No.9 shirt.

Super Eagles and Hamburg striker Terem Moffi. Photo by IMAGO

Fitness problems pre-date Hamburg move

Moffi's difficult start cannot be separated entirely from his unusual summer preparation.

After returning from his six-month loan at Porto, where he made 15 competitive appearances and scored twice, Moffi returned to Nice but did not feature in their pre-season matches before his August 24 transfer to Hamburg. Reports from Nigeria also noted that he had trained diligently but lacked competitive preparation.

The Super Eagles striker's 2025/26 campaign had already been fragmented. He managed only 10 Ligue 1 appearances for Nice, playing 489 minutes and scoring twice, before moving to Porto in January.

Now, just weeks into his Bundesliga chapter, another physical setback threatens to interrupt the rhythm he has been trying to build.