Huge Blow for Super Eagles: Victor Osimhen Ruled Out For AFCON Qualifiers
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Osimhen Among Four Nigerian Players To Miss AFCON Qualifiers
Nigeria’s star striker Victor Osimhen is set to miss the Super Eagles' first two matches of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau later this month, which we will be covering in our football predictions.
Osimhen has made a strong start to the season, scoring six goals in his first four league games for Turkish Süper Lig champions Galatasaray. However, he sustained an injury in the team’s 3-2 victory over Istanbul Başakşehir, which forced him to sit out their Champions League opener against Sporting.
Galatasaray confirm Osimhen has suffered a “moderate to advanced level strain with bleeding in the right groin area!”
The club also confirmed that the Nigerian international has commenced treatment and is expected to remain sidelined until after the September international break, effectively ruling him out of the Super Eagles team for their upcoming AFCON qualifiers.
Nigeria have been drawn into Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and co-hosts Tanzania. Osimhen’s absence represents a major blow for Eric Chelle’s team, given that only the first-placed team from each group will advance to the main draw of the competition.
Aside from their talisman, Nigeria also have three other confirmed absentees for their upcoming matches, with Marseille’s Tochukwu Nnadi, Brighton’s Zadok Yohanna, and Zaidu Sanusi of Porto all ruled out through injury.
Who Could Replace Osimhen in Attack for Nigeria?
With Osimhen unavailable, Chelle will have a massive call to make around who leads the attack later this month. The head coach’s decision is made all the more complicated due to uncertainty surrounding the fitness of experienced forward Paul Onuachu.
Among the available options for Chelle is Tolu Arokodare. The Ajax loanee has made an excellent start to life in Amsterdam, scoring five goals and providing two assists in seven appearances for the club since arriving from Wolves in the summer.
Akor Adams is another possible choice. The 26-year-old left Sevilla in the summer and has netted twice and provided one assist for Venezia this term. He has an exceptional record for the national team, scoring six goals and setting up two in 15 appearances for the Super Eagles.
Given recent form, Rafiu Durosinmi has got himself in contention for a call-up. The 23-year-old forward joined Belgian Pro League outfit Genk this summer and has already notched up five goals in six league appearances, while he also played a key role for Nigeria at the Unity Cup.
If Chelle is looking for experience, that could open the door for Kelechi Iheanacho, who has found a new lease of life at Bursaspor, scoring eight goals and providing two assists in six matches for the Turkish second-tier outfit. He last featured for Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
