Nigeria’s preparations for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign have suffered another setback, with Victor Osimhen and Paul Onuachu emerging as injury doubts ahead of the Super Eagles’ opening fixtures.
Osimhen sustained a groin injury during Galatasaray’s 3-2 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir on Sunday, while Onuachu was forced off shortly before half-time in Trabzonspor’s emphatic 5-0 win over Gençlerbirliği.
Osimhen scored Galatasaray’s opening goal before being substituted after just 33 minutes.
Galatasaray subsequently confirmed that the striker had suffered a strain to his right groin.
“Following the completion of MR and advanced examinations at our sponsor Acıbadem Hospital, advanced-moderate level strain (bleeding and strain) has been detected in the right adductor (groin) muscle group of our footballer Victor Osimhen,” the Turkish club said.
The club also disclosed that midfielder Mario Lemina sustained a similar injury, adding, “Similarly, advanced-moderate level strain (bleeding and strain) has been detected in the right adductor muscle group of our player Mario Lemina, whose examinations have also been completed, and their treatment processes are ongoing.”
Onuachu’s injury compounds the situation after he was substituted in the 44th minute of Trabzonspor’s victory. Reports indicate that the forward suffered a chin injury during a challenge.
The latest setbacks add to an already growing injury list for Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Sadiq Umar, Tochukwu Nnadi and Zaidu Sanusi are also currently nursing injuries.
Nigeria are scheduled to begin their AFCON qualifying campaign against Madagascar on September 25 before travelling to Guinea-Bissau for their second Group L fixture four days later.
The Super Eagles are in the same group as Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania, with Tanzania already guaranteed qualification as one of the tournament’s co-hosts.
Nigeria will need to finish as the highest-ranked team among the remaining sides to secure their place at the tournament.
Osimhen’s potential absence would be a major concern for Chelle, particularly given the striker’s importance to Nigeria’s attack.
The 27-year-old has scored 35 goals for the Super Eagles and is just two goals short of matching Rashidi Yekini’s national record of 37 goals.
Osimhen has also made an impressive start to the new club season, scoring six goals and providing two assists in four appearances for Galatasaray.
