Fulham coach Marco Silva has hailed Samuel Chukwueze for his mental fortitude despite the recent loss of his mother, Soccernet.ng reports.
Last week, it was confirmed that Chukwueze lost his mother, Sarah, after a brief illness. This tragic news came just a day after Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi lost his father in a car accident.
Chukwueze was very close to his mother during her lifetime, and the two were often spotted together whenever he was holidaying in Nigeria.
There was even a viral video of his mother holding his legs and praying for him before the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Understandably, it was expected that the loss would take a significant toll on him. However, in a show of resilience, he was named in the starting eleven for Fulham's Premier League game against Manchester United last week.
Chukwueze looked very lively throughout that match, constantly willing to push forward while also contributing defensively. However, he was unable to find the net or provide an assist as he side succumbed to a 3-2 loss.
Marco Silva Hails Samuel Chukwueze
This weekend, Fulham take on Everton in the Premier League, and Chukwueze remains part of the squad. In fact, he has a strong chance of starting the game.
Coach Marco Silva was asked about the Super Eagles star and how he has been faring since his loss. He praised Chukwueze's mentality and his ability to continue playing through such a difficult period.
“He took a decision to play, he feels very well here, it's been a tough moment for him abd his family. Nice to see him smiling every day. Nice to see him with us,” Silva said, per Jack Kelly.
Due to the hectic schedule, Chukwueze will likely have to wait until the summer before coming to Nigeria to bury his mother.
In the meantime, he will be looking to help Fulham finish the season strongly. As it stands, they are 9th on the Premier League table, seven points off the Champions League spots.
If they can string up a run of impressive performances they can dream of getting a spot in Europe.
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