JUST IN: Injured Osimhen out of Nigeria’s AFCON qualifiers — Report

n n

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen will miss Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau after his recovery from a right adductor muscle strain took longer than expected, according to a report by the Super Eagles team on Saturday

n

Osimhen was included in Eric Chelle’s squad for the international window as the national team hoped the Galatasaray forward would regain full fitness in time for the qualifiers.

n

However, his expected return was delayed after he was unavailable for Galatasaray’s Süper Lig clash against Trabzonspor on September 19.

n

The match had been viewed by both club and national team officials as an important fitness checkpoint for the striker.

n

Galatasaray subsequently informed the Super Eagles management that Osimhen remains under treatment and will not be available for Nigeria’s upcoming fixtures.

n

“Osimhen is still undergoing treatment and will not be available for Nigeria’s fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau,” the report stated.

n

The Super Eagles are scheduled to face Madagascar on September 25 before taking on Guinea-Bissau on September 29.

n

Osimhen’s absence will be a significant change to Chelle’s plans as Nigeria begins its campaign to qualify for the 2027 AFCON.

n

The striker will now continue his rehabilitation at Galatasaray, with his eventual return to competitive action dependent on his recovery from the adductor injury.

n n