The Super Eagles media team on Saturday gave an update that Victor Osimhen will miss Nigeria’s opening qualifying match for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau after his recovery from a right adductor muscle strain took longer than expected.
Osimhen had initially been included in the 24-man squad of the Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle with hopes that he would regain full fitness in time for the qualifiers. However, he was unavailable for Galatasaray’s league match against Trabzonspor on September 19, which had been viewed as an important fitness assessment.
The striker suffered the injury during Galatasaray’s 3–2 victory over İstanbul Başakşehir on September 4. Medical examinations confirmed an advanced-moderate strain with bleeding in his right adductor muscle, and he has continued treatment with the Turkish club.
Nigeria will face Madagascar on September 25 before travelling to Guinea-Bissau for the second qualifier on September 29. Osimhen, who has scored six goals and provided two assists in four league appearances for Galatasaray this season, will continue his rehabilitation as he works towards a return to competitive action.
