Osimhen ruled out of Super Eagles AFCON qualifiers

Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

The Super Eagles striker has not recovered from a muscle strain and will miss the September international window. Nigeria host Madagascar in Uyo on Friday, September 25, before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, September 29.

Premium Times reported that the national team confirmed his withdrawal after Osimhen missed Galatasaray’s 4-0 league defeat to Trabzonspor. TheCable also reported the withdrawal, citing a statement by Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe.

Osimhen had been named in Eric Chelle’s 24-man squad because both Galatasaray and the Nigerian technical crew hoped he would recover in time. His absence from the Trabzonspor game confirmed he would not be ready for the qualifiers.

Premium Times reported that the forward suffered the injury during Galatasaray’s 3-2 win over Istanbul Basaksehir on September 4, when he scored before leaving the match after 33 minutes. Galatasaray later said tests showed a moderate-to-advanced strain in his right adductor muscle group.

His withdrawal leaves Chelle to turn to other attacking options, including Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor.

Sources: Premium Times, TheCable