Nigeria will have to open their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign without one of their biggest attacking threats, as Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of the Super Eagles’ first two matches.
The Galatasaray forward will miss Nigeria’s clashes with Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau after failing to recover fully from a muscle injury.
Osimhen suffered the setback on September 4 during Galatasaray’s 3-2 victory away to Istanbul Başakşehir. The injury has kept him out of action for the Turkish side since then.
Despite the situation, Super Eagles coach Éric Chelle initially handed Osimhen a place in his squad for the September qualifiers.
Chelle had been hopeful that the striker would regain full fitness before Nigeria’s opening game. However, Osimhen’s recovery has taken longer than anticipated.
The decision was therefore made to withdraw the 27-year-old from the squad.
Osimhen will consequently be unavailable when Nigeria take on Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Thursday, September 24.
The Super Eagles will have little time to regroup after that encounter. They are scheduled to travel to Bissau four days later for their second qualifying fixture against Guinea-Bissau.
His absence presents Chelle with a major selection challenge. Osimhen remains one of Nigeria’s leading attacking options, and the coach will now have to rely on other forwards for the opening stage of the qualification campaign.
The three-time African champions are beginning their push for a place at the 2027 AFCON without their star striker, while Osimhen focuses on completing his recovery and returning to competitive action.
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