Osimhen Injury Sparks Fresh AFCON Qualifier Worry For Super Eagles Coach Chelle

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has been handed a fresh injury concern after Victor Osimhen was forced off during Galatasaray’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir on Friday night.

Osimhen had given Galatasaray an early lead in the 16th minute, scoring his sixth goal of the season after finishing a well-worked attacking move. However, his impressive outing was cut short just 17 minutes later when he appeared to suffer a suspected muscle injury and was replaced by Barış Alper Yılmaz.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the timing of the setback could prove significant for Chelle, with Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign scheduled to begin later this month.

The Super Eagles are expected to face Madagascar on September 25 before travelling to take on Guinea-Bissau four days later. Chelle will therefore be hoping that Osimhen’s injury is not serious enough to keep him out of the upcoming international fixtures.

The Nigerian striker had entered the Basaksehir clash in impressive form, having previously scored the winning penalty against Goztepe and registered a brace against Corum. His latest effort further underlined his strong start to the campaign, taking his season tally to six goals.

Galatasaray eventually secured all three points in a dramatic second half. Eldor Shomurodov converted a penalty in the 66th minute to level the score before Lucas Torreira restored Galatasaray’s advantage five minutes later.

Basaksehir responded again when Davinson Sanchez inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, but Gabriel Sara produced the decisive moment in the 90th minute by curling a superb free-kick into the net to seal the 3-2 victory.

While Chelle awaits further information on Osimhen’s condition, other Nigerian forwards are also making strong cases for inclusion in the national team squad.

Kelechi Iheanacho has continued to impress with Bursaspor, scoring twice in a 4-0 victory over Istanbulspor to take his league tally to six goals and two assists in five matches. The striker has contributed at least one goal or assist in every league appearance he has made this season.

Moses Usor is another player pushing for consideration after making an encouraging start with LASK. The 24-year-old has recorded three goals and four assists in eight appearances across all competitions, including a goal and an assist in LASK’s remarkable 5-1 extra-time victory over Celtic.

Usor’s versatility, which allows him to operate on the wing or as a supporting forward, could provide Chelle with another attacking option. However, he faces competition from established Super Eagles stars including Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon.

Iheanacho also faces stiff competition for a place in the squad from Osimhen, Lookman, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare.

With the AFCON qualifiers approaching, Chelle will now be closely monitoring Osimhen’s recovery as Nigeria prepare for two important fixtures that could set the tone for their qualifying campaign.