Osimhen ruled out of Nigeria’s AFCON qualifiers
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is set to miss Nigeria’s upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after failing to recover in time from a muscle strain.
Osimhen was included in Nigeria’s squad for the qualifiers after Galatasaray and the Super Eagles technical crew had hoped the striker would recover in time to feature in the Turkish Super Lig clash against Trabzonspor.
However, his absence from Galatasaray’s match against Trabzonspor has confirmed that the 27-year-old remains unavailable.
According to Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe, Galatasaray had earlier informed Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle that Osimhen was still recovering from the injury and would not be ready for Nigeria’s upcoming matches.
“Victor Osimhen’s recovery from a muscle strain has been slower than expected,” Efoghe said.
“He was included in Nigeria’s squad for the AFCON qualifiers because Galatasaray and Super Eagles technical crew were hopeful he would be fit for the Super Lig game versus Trabzonspor and ready for the international window.
“But his absence from tonight’s match confirms Galatasaray’s correspondence to Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle that the striker is still recovering and will not be ready for Nigeria’s matches.”
Osimhen’s absence will be a major setback for Chelle as Nigeria prepare for their AFCON qualifying fixtures.
The striker has been an important figure for the Super Eagles since making his senior international debut and remains one of Nigeria’s main attacking options.
Nigeria will now have to consider alternative options in attack for the qualifiers as Osimhen continues his recovery at Galatasaray.
