Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
The Galatasaray striker’s recovery from a groin injury has taken longer than expected, forcing him to miss the international fixtures.
The development was confirmed by the Super Eagles media team after the striker failed to return to action for his Turkish club.
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has suffered another major setback after his injury recovery ruled him out of Nigeria’s upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches.
The Galatasaray forward will miss the encounters against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau after failing to regain full fitness ahead of the September international break.
Osimhen’s injury recovery takes longer than expected
According to TheCable, the 27-year-old was initially included in coach Eric Chelle’s squad for the qualifiers, with hopes that he would recover before the international window.
However, those expectations have now been dashed following his continued absence from Galatasaray’s matches.
Promise Efoghe, the Super Eagles media officer, confirmed that the striker’s recovery had not progressed as expected.
“Victor Osimhen’s recovery from a muscle strain has been slower than expected.”
Efoghe explained that Galatasaray and the Nigerian technical crew had initially hoped the forward would become available for the Turkish league encounter against Trabzonspor.
His absence from the match, however, confirmed that he was still undergoing rehabilitation and would not be ready for Nigeria’s assignments.
How Osimhen picked up the injury
Osimhen last featured for Galatasaray on September 5 during their Turkish Super Lig encounter against Istanbul Basaksehir.
The Nigerian forward scored before being forced off in the 33rd minute after experiencing discomfort around his thigh.
Subsequent medical examinations revealed an advanced-moderate strain, accompanied by bleeding, in his right adductor muscle group.
The injury also kept him out of Galatasaray’s Champions League meeting with Sporting CP and other domestic league fixtures.
His absence is a significant concern for Nigeria, considering his importance to the team’s attacking strength.
Super Eagles face difficult AFCON assignments
Nigeria are scheduled to host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on September 25.
The Super Eagles will then travel to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29 in their second qualifying fixture.
Osimhen’s withdrawal means coach Eric Chelle must find another attacking option as Nigeria begin their campaign.
The team will also face Russia in an international friendly on October 6, although Osimhen’s availability for that encounter will depend on his recovery.
Meanwhile, Osimhen’s Pregnant girlfriend, Stefanie Kim Ladewig, who is the eight-month pregnant girlfriend of Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, has escaped injury after a three-vehicle crash in Istanbul, Türkiye.
The 26-year-old model was later discharged from the hospital after undergoing medical examinations as a precaution because of her pregnancy, Türkiye Today reported on Wednesday, citing the Demirören News Agency.
The accident occurred at about 3:10 pm on Tuesday in the Mithatpasa neighbourhood of Kemerburgaz, in Istanbul’s Eyupsultan district.
According to DHA, Osimhen’s Pregnant girlfriend was driving an SUV when she entered a bend and hit a light commercial vehicle driven by a person identified as Paris T.
The impact reportedly caused her to lose control of the SUV, which then collided with another SUV travelling in the opposite direction.
Osimhen’s Pregnant girlfriend
The crash involved two SUVs and a light commercial vehicle. All three vehicles sustained damage, but no injuries were reported.
According to DHA, Osimhen’s Pregnant girlfriend, who was eight months pregnant at the time of the crash, went to a private hospital in the Maslak area of Istanbul’s Sariyer district for precautionary medical examinations.
Ladewig, who was born in Berlin, Germany, works as a model and shares fashion and beauty content on social media, according to Türkiye Today.
Osimhen, 27, is a Nigerian international who plays for Turkish club Galatasaray after leaving Napoli. Continue reading here.
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