Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau after failing to recover in time from an adductor injury.
The Galatasaray forward was initially named in Eric Chelle’s squad for the September international window, with hopes that he would regain full fitness before Nigeria’s qualifiers.
However, those hopes were dashed after Osimhen missed Galatasaray’s Süper Lig meeting with Trabzonspor on September 19, a match that had been regarded as a key fitness test for the striker.
Galatasaray subsequently informed the Super Eagles management that Osimhen remains under treatment and will not be available for the two international fixtures.
“Osimhen is still undergoing treatment and will not be available for Nigeria’s fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau,” the Super Eagles team reported on Saturday.
The 27-year-old striker will continue his rehabilitation at Galatasaray, with his return to competitive football dependent on his recovery from the right adductor muscle strain.
Nigeria will open its 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign against Madagascar on September 25 before facing Guinea-Bissau on September 29.
Osimhen’s absence leaves Chelle without one of his most prominent attacking options as the Super Eagles begin their bid to secure a place at the 2027 continental championship.
