AFCON Qualifiers: Fresh Doubts Over Osimhen, Onuachu For Nigeria

Nigeria could be without key forwards Victor Osimhen and Paul Onuachu when the Super Eagles begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau later this month.

According to Ireporter Online, Osimhen suffered a groin injury during Galatasaray’s 3-2 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir on September 4, after scoring the opening goal. The striker was forced off in the 33rd minute.

Galatasaray subsequently confirmed that medical examinations revealed a moderate-to-advanced strain involving Osimhen’s right adductor muscle, with bleeding detected in the affected area. The club said his treatment had commenced.

Onuachu is also facing a fitness concern after sustaining an injury during Trabzonspor’s 5-0 win over Gençlerbirligi. The Nigerian forward scored twice before being substituted in the 44th minute following a challenge that reportedly left him with an injury to his chin.

The setbacks have increased the injury concerns facing Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle ahead of Nigeria’s opening Group L fixtures.

Nigeria are scheduled to host Madagascar on September 25 before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau four days later. Tanzania, one of the co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON, is the other team in the group.

The Super Eagles are already dealing with several injury setbacks, with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Sadiq Umar, Tochukwu Nnadi and Zaidu Sanusi among players reportedly unavailable.

Osimhen’s potential absence would represent a major setback for Nigeria, given his importance to the team’s attack. The Galatasaray forward has made an impressive start to the club season, recording six goals and two assists in four appearances.

The injury could also temporarily halt Osimhen’s pursuit of Nigeria’s all-time goalscoring record. The 27-year-old currently has 35 goals for the Super Eagles, leaving him two behind the record of 37 goals held by the late Rashidi Yekini.