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Sunday, 20th September 2026

AFCON QUALIFIERS: OSIMHEN RULED OUT AS INJURY RECOVERY TAKES LONGER

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen will miss Nigeria’s opening two 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau after failing to recover from a muscle injury.

Osimhen was initially included in Éric Chelle’s 24-man squad after Galatasaray and the Super Eagles technical crew remained hopeful that the striker would recover in time to feature against Trabzonspor and subsequently join Nigeria for the international window.

However, the Galatasaray forward was absent from Saturday’s Turkish Süper Lig clash with Trabzonspor, which ended in a heavy 4–0 defeat for Galatasaray. His continued absence has now confirmed that he will not be ready to represent Nigeria in the upcoming qualifiers.

RECOVERY SLOWER THAN EXPECTED

Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe confirmed that Osimhen’s recovery from the muscle strain has taken longer than initially expected.

“Victor Osimhen’s recovery from a muscle strain has been slower than expected,” Efoghe said, explaining that his inclusion in the squad was based on the expectation that he could regain fitness in time for the Trabzonspor match and the international window.

Osimhen suffered the injury during Galatasaray’s 3–2 victory over Istanbul Başakşehir on September 4, scoring before being substituted in the 33rd minute. Medical examinations subsequently revealed a moderate-to-advanced strain involving the right adductor muscle group.

The injury has already kept the 27-year-old away from recent Galatasaray fixtures, and his absence against Trabzonspor effectively ended hopes of seeing him return in time for Nigeria’s September qualifiers.

CHELLE MUST NOW LOOK ELSEWHERE

Osimhen’s withdrawal leaves coach Éric Chelle without one of Nigeria’s established attacking options as the Super Eagles begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.

However, the squad still contains several attacking alternatives, including Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, Samuel Chukwueze, George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor.

Nigeria will host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Friday, 25th September, before travelling to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, 29th September.

The immediate priority for Osimhen will now be completing his rehabilitation and returning to full fitness, while Chelle prepares the Super Eagles for two important qualifying fixtures without their leading striker.

By OLAWALE HAMZAT TOP STRIKER

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