Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen will miss Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches after Galatasaray confirmed that he remains sidelined with an adductor injury, Trybal News reports.
Osimhen was initially named in Eric Chelle’s 24-man squad for the September qualifiers, with Nigeria’s technical team hopeful that the striker would recover in time to return to competitive action.
However, the 27-year-old was left out of Galatasaray’s squad for Saturday’s Turkish Super Lig trip to Trabzonspor, effectively ending hopes of his availability for the Super Eagles.
According to HT Spor, Galatasaray informed the Nigeria Football Federation that Osimhen is still injured and needs to continue his treatment. The Turkish club therefore does not intend to release him for international duty.
Osimhen sustained the injury during Galatasaray’s 3-2 victory over Istanbul Başakşehir on September 4. He scored in the 16th minute before being substituted in the 33rd minute after suffering what appeared to be a groin problem.
Medical examinations subsequently revealed a strain to his right adductor muscle group, with Galatasaray describing the injury as moderate to advanced, involving bleeding and muscle strain.
The injury has already ruled him out of Galatasaray’s matches against Kocaelispor and Sporting CP.
Osimhen had made an impressive start to the season before the setback, scoring six goals and providing two assists in his first four league appearances for the Turkish champions.
His absence leaves Chelle with Tolu Arokodare and Akor Adams as the recognised centre-forward options, while Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon provide further attacking alternatives. George Ilenikhena could also come into contention for minutes during the qualifiers.
Nigeria will begin their AFCON qualifying campaign against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on September 25 before travelling to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29.
