By Boris Esono Nwenfor
BUEA, PAV – Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen will miss the Super Eagles’ opening TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau after being ruled out with injury.
The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed that the 27-year-old will miss the matches on 25 and 29 September as he continues his recovery from a muscle problem.
Victor Osimhen was initially included in coach Eric Chelle’s squad despite suffering the injury while playing for Galatasaray against Başakşehir in the Turkish league. The striker was forced off in the 33rd minute, with medical examinations subsequently revealing a muscle strain and pain in his right thigh.
His recovery was initially expected to take at least two weeks, but he has not recovered in time to join Nigeria for the September qualifiers. The absence deprives Chelle of one of Nigeria’s principal attacking options as the Super Eagles begin their campaign to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Osimhen has scored 35 goals in 52 appearances for Nigeria since making his international debut in 2017. His next possible international appearance could come in Nigeria’s friendly against Russia on 6 October, although his availability will depend on his recovery and return to competitive action with Galatasaray.
Nigeria will therefore begin their qualifying campaign without one of their most experienced forwards as Chelle prepares his side for the September double-header.
