BIG BLOW: Osimhen Set to Miss Nigeria’s First Two AFCON 2027 Qualifiers After Three-Week Injury Layoff
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is set to miss Nigeria’s opening two matches of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign after Galatasaray confirmed that he has suffered a groin injury that is expected to keep him out for about three weeks.
Galatasaray announced on Sunday that MRI and further examinations conducted at Acıbadem Hospital revealed an advanced-moderate strain, involving bleeding and strain, in the right adductor muscle group of the Nigerian forward. The Turkish champions added that Osimhen’s treatment has already commenced.
Osimhen was forced off in the 32nd minute of Galatasaray’s Turkish Super Lig encounter against Başakşehir after starting the match. His injury comes at an unfortunate time for both the club and Nigeria, with Galatasaray preparing for their UEFA Champions League opener against Sporting CP on September 9.
According to reports from Turkey, Osimhen is expected to be sidelined for three weeks and could return to action after Galatasaray’s league fixture against Trabzonspor on September 19.
That recovery timeline puts the Nigerian striker in serious doubt for the Super Eagles’ first two AFCON 2027 qualifiers. Nigeria are scheduled to open their campaign against Madagascar on September 23 before facing Guinea-Bissau on September 27.
The two matches fall within Osimhen’s expected recovery period, meaning the Super Eagles could be without their prolific striker at the start of their qualifying campaign unless he makes a quicker-than-expected recovery.
Osimhen’s absence would be a significant blow to Nigeria, particularly with the Super Eagles looking to make a strong start to their qualification bid. The striker has established himself as one of the team’s most important attacking players and would have been expected to lead the line in both fixtures.
Galatasaray, meanwhile, will also have to cope without the Nigerian for a number of important fixtures, including their Champions League clash with Sporting and the Super Lig meeting with Kocaelispor on September 13.
