AFCON Shocker: Osimhen Out, Super Eagles Face Crucial Qualifiers Without Star Striker

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of Nigeria’s upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches due to a muscle strain. Osimhen sustained this injury during Galatasaray’s 3-2 away victory over Istanbul Başakşehir on September 4 and has not featured for the Turkish club since then. Despite hopes from head coach Éric Chelle that the 27-year-old striker would recover in time, his slower-than-expected progress has necessitated his withdrawal from the squad.

To fill the void left by Osimhen, fellow Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been called up as a replacement. Awoniyi, who plays for Nottingham Forest, returns to the national team after missing Nigeria’s recent assignments. The 29-year-old will provide an additional attacking option alongside Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare, with Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, and Samuel Chukwueze also available to coach Chelle.

Nigeria, placed in Group L of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau, and Tanzania, faces a critical period. The Super Eagles are scheduled to host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25. Four days later, on Tuesday, September 29, they will travel to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau in their second qualifying fixture. Osimhen’s absence presents a significant challenge as the three-time African champions commence their campaign.

The impact of Osimhen’s absence extends to his club, Galatasaray. Former Sierra Leone international Michael Lahoud commented on the team’s performance without their star striker, stating via CBS Sports Golazo Network that without Victor Osimhen, the Galatasaray team “looks ordinary.” This observation followed Galatasaray’s 4-0 defeat to Trabzonspor in a Turkish Super Lig clash on Saturday, a match Osimhen missed due to his ongoing injury.