Swedish club AIK do not intend to rush Zadok Yohanna back into their squad, casting a shadow over his availability for the Unity Cup, which will be held from May 26 to 30 in London, Sports Extra reports.
Yohanna suffered an injury during AIK’s 4-2 defeat to Djurgårdens IF in the Swedish Allsvenskan last Sunday, thereby missing Sunday’s league game against Västerås SK after beginning his rehabilitation.
He had initially allayed fears about the extent of the injury, but the club are not willing to risk rushing him back into action, meaning he could miss this year’s Unity Cup tournament, where he is expected to get a chance under Éric Chelle, coach of the Nigeria national football team.
AIK’s two remaining games before the international break are against Hammarby IF and IK Sirius, with the club’s head of recruitment, Miika Takkula, reiterating the plan to protect their asset, who has attracted transfer interest from top clubs in Europe.
“No, no, no,” he said when asked if the club would risk playing the exciting winger.
“He is undergoing rehab. There is nothing more to say,” he maintained.
The 18-year-old has scored two goals and provided three assists in seven league appearances so far this season.
Yohanna has been strongly tipped to make Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming Unity Cup in London as the national team prepare to defend the title they won in 2025.
His chances of receiving a maiden call-up were boosted after Chelle revealed that fresh and fringe players would be given opportunities to represent the national team.
Yohanna joined AIK last summer and has impressed since breaking into the first team this season, recording five goals and two assists in 11 appearances across all competitions.
He signed for AIK on June 29, 2025, agreeing to a contract that runs until December 2029.