Zaidu Sanusi is a quick, energetic left-back who has become a mainstay at FC Porto and a regular for Nigeria’s Super Eagles. Famous for scoring a stoppage-time winner against Benfica to help clinch a Portuguese league title, the Jega-born defender has built a trophy-laden career in Portugal despite battling serious injury.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Zaidu Sanusi |
| Nationality | Nigeria |
| Date of Birth | 13 June 1997 |
| Latest club | FC Porto |
| League | Liga Portugal (POR) |
| Position | Left-back |
| Market value | €5.00m |
Playing style: A quick, tireless full-back
Sanusi is a modern left-back who combines defensive discipline with energy and attacking output down the flank.
- ⚡ Pace: Quick both in recovery and when overlapping.
- 🏃 Energy: Tireless up and down the left touchline.
- 🛡️ Defensive discipline: Solid and committed in his defensive duties.
- 🅰️ Attacking support: Provides width and the occasional crucial goal.
- 💪 Resilience: Fought back from a serious knee injury to reclaim his place.
Career: Building a legacy at FC Porto
Sanusi rose through Portuguese football before establishing himself as a trophy winner at FC Porto.
From the lower leagues to Santa Clara
Sanusi moved to Portugal early in his career, playing for Gil Vicente and Mirandela before a breakthrough at Santa Clara in the Primeira Liga. His performances there earned a move to FC Porto in 2020, a major step up to one of Portugal’s biggest clubs.
At Porto he quickly won the left-back role and became a key part of a side challenging for domestic and European honours.
Trophies and a famous winner
Sanusi has won multiple trophies at Porto, including the Primeira Liga and several Taça de Portugal and Supertaça titles. He scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner against rivals Benfica to help secure the 2021-22 league title, one of the standout moments of his career.
After a serious knee injury threatened his progress, he battled back to reclaim his place, reaching 150 appearances for the club and remaining a dependable presence on the left of the Porto defence.
| Team (Appea.) | Goals |
|---|---|
| Gil Vicente (20) | 0 |
| Santa Clara (30) | 1 |
| FC Porto (150) | 3 |
International career: A Super Eagles regular
Sanusi made his senior debut for Nigeria in 2020 and has since become a regular option at left-back. He was part of the Super Eagles squads at the 2021, 2023 and 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, featuring as Nigeria reached the 2023 final and finished third in 2025.
A reliable defender for the national team, he forms part of Nigeria’s back-line alongside the likes of Calvin Bassey, offering pace and consistency on the left.
| Competition (Stage) | MP (Goal) |
|---|---|
| AFCON 2021 (Round of 16) | 3 (0) |
| AFCON 2023 (Runners-up) | 5 (0) |
| AFCON 2025 (Third place) | 4 (0) |
Clubs journey: A Portuguese story
Sanusi’s senior career has been spent entirely in Portugal, with his trophy-laden years at FC Porto the defining chapter of his career.
A league-title winner and long-serving full-back at one of Portugal’s giants, Sanusi remains an important player for both Porto and the Nigeria national team.
| Years | Club |
|---|---|
| 2016–2018 | Gil Vicente |
| 2019–2020 | Santa Clara |
| 2020–Present | FC Porto |