Major Setback for Nigeria as Osimhen Faces AFCON Absence
In a devastating blow to Nigeria's football ambitions, Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is reportedly set to miss the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to take place in Morocco. The tournament will run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, and Osimhen's absence could significantly impact Nigeria's chances of lifting the trophy.
Injury Timeline and Key Matches Affected
The 26-year-old Galatasaray forward sustained a hamstring injury during the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup play-off final against DR Congo on November 16. The injury forced his substitution at the end of the first half, with coach Eric Chelle bringing on Sevilla forward Akor Adams as his replacement. Unfortunately, Osimhen's absence contributed to Nigeria's 4-3 loss to the Leopards, ultimately preventing the Super Eagles from qualifying for their second consecutive World Cup.
Medical assessments have revealed that Osimhen will be sidelined for approximately three weeks, placing his participation in the continental tournament in serious jeopardy. According to reports, medical staff had previously issued directives limiting Osimhen's playing time to no more than 70 minutes per match due to his ongoing recovery from an earlier injury sustained against Rwanda during the qualifiers.
Osimhen's Crucial Role in Super Eagles Success
The potential absence of Osimhen represents a massive concern for Nigerian football fans and team management alike. During the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the Super Eagles struggled significantly without their star striker, failing to win their first four matches when Osimhen was unavailable.
When fit, the former Napoli striker demonstrated his immense value to the team with several standout performances:
- Scoring a brace in his first match against Rwanda
- Netting another goal in the 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe
- Delivering a hat-trick against Benin Republic in the final qualifier
- Scoring a brace against Gabon in the Africa playoff semifinal
Osimhen currently stands as Nigeria's second-highest all-time goal scorer, trailing only the legendary Rashidi Yekini, underscoring his importance to the national team setup.
Club Impact and Transfer Speculation
Osimhen's injury has also affected his club side, Galatasaray, who suffered a 1-0 defeat to Union St. Gilloise on November 25 in his absence. The loss prompted comments from Besiktas legend Sinan Engin, who noted that the Turkish champions "always lose a significant part of their identity" whenever the Nigerian forward is unavailable.
Adding to the uncertainty surrounding Osimhen's future, Galatasaray president Dursun Ozbek has confirmed that the club is open to transfer offers for the 2023 CAF Player of the Year winner. Ozbek highlighted Osimhen's age and performance as factors making him a prime candidate for a future transfer.
As the Super Eagles prepare for AFCON 2025, coach Eric Chelle faces the challenging task of developing alternative strategies should Nigeria's talismanic striker fail to recover in time for the tournament in Morocco.
