Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of Nigeria’s opening fixtures of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign as he continues to recover from a muscle strain.
Osimhen was initially included in Nigeria’s squad after Galatasaray and the Super Eagles technical crew expected him to regain fitness in time for the September-October FIFA international window. However, his failure to feature for Galatasaray against Trabzonspor confirmed that he remains unavailable for competitive action.
Super Eagles Media Officer, Promise Efoghe, said Osimhen’s recovery had been slower than expected. “He will not be ready for Nigeria’s matches,” Efoghe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, September 20.
Nigeria are in Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and co-hosts Tanzania, with their opening fixtures scheduled against Madagascar at home and Guinea-Bissau away. Head coach Eric Chelle will now have to adjust his attacking plans and rely on other available forwards as Osimhen continues his rehabilitation.
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