Victor Osimhen will miss Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying fixtures after his recovery from a muscle strain failed to progress quickly enough, dealing a significant blow to the Super Eagles.
The Galatasaray striker was included in Nigeria’s squad for the September international window, with both his club and the national team’s technical staff hopeful he would regain full fitness in time to face Trabzonspor in the Super Lig before joining up for the qualifiers.
Those plans have now been abandoned.
Osimhen was absent as Galatasaray suffered a 3-0 defeat, and his non-involvement confirmed correspondence from the Turkish club to Nigeria manager Eric Chelle. Galatasaray told the Super Eagles’ coaching staff that the 27-year-old forward remains in recovery and will not be available for Nigeria’s fixture against Madagascar.
The injury, sustained earlier in the season, has proved more persistent than initially expected. Medical reports indicate that the muscle strain has restricted the intensity of Osimhen’s training and prevented him from reaching the level of match fitness required for competitive action.
He continues to undergo rehabilitation with Galatasaray’s medical team, but there is no clear timetable for his return to full training or matches.
Major setback for Nigeria
Osimhen has been Nigeria’s leading attacking threat in recent campaigns. His pace, aerial strength and finishing have made him a central figure for the Super Eagles, while the team’s coaching staff had expected him to lead the attack and provide experience in the final third.
His absence means Chelle must reorganise his forward options and place greater responsibility on the other attackers in the squad. Nigeria are in a difficult qualifying group and cannot afford to drop points in their pursuit of a place at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Without their main striker, the Super Eagles will have to depend on a collective effort and tactical changes to maintain their qualifying campaign.
Galatasaray will also be affected as they balance domestic and European commitments without their leading forward. The club has emphasised that protecting Osimhen’s long-term fitness is the priority, with no wish to risk worsening the injury by bringing him back too soon.
The striker’s regular goalscoring for both club and country had raised expectations that he would play a decisive role in the qualifiers. His extended recovery instead leaves Nigeria waiting for updates on when he can return to full training and competitive football.
The Super Eagles will now prepare for their upcoming matches without Osimhen, while the remaining squad members take on the responsibility of securing vital points in the AFCON qualifying campaign.