Victor Osimhen injury could sideline Nigeria striker for up to four months

Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen could miss the Super Eagles’ opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches after suffering a suspected groin injury while playing for Galatasaray.

Osimhen scored Galatasaray’s opening goal in the 16th minute, continuing an outstanding start to the season, but was forced off 17 minutes later. It was his sixth goal in four appearances for the Turkish club.

The nature of the injury has raised concern in Nigeria, with respected Turkish doctor Dr. Gurkan Kubilay saying the striker may have torn ligaments inside the muscle. Kubilay added that injuries of that type commonly keep players out for between three and four months.

Galatasaray are expected to issue an assessment of the injury and clarify how long Osimhen is likely to be unavailable. Until the club provides that information, the striker’s condition remains uncertain, but his involvement in Nigeria’s September fixtures is now seriously in doubt.

The Super Eagles are due to begin their campaign to qualify for the 2027 AFCON with a home match against Madagascar in Uyo on 23 September. They will then travel to face Guinea-Bissau four days later.

Osimhen’s possible absence would be a major concern for Nigeria, given his importance to the national team and his productive start to the new season with Galatasaray. His goal against his latest opponents came before the injury interrupted his appearance after just over half an hour.

The 26-year-old had been maintaining a prolific scoring rate for Galatasaray, reaching six goals in his first four games. However, the suspected groin problem has immediately shifted attention from his goalscoring form to his availability for the Super Eagles.

There has been no confirmed club diagnosis or official recovery timetable yet. The initial comments from Dr. Kubilay suggest the injury could be significantly more serious than a short-term setback, although the final extent of the problem will depend on Galatasaray’s medical examination and statement.

Nigeria will be hoping the eventual assessment is more positive, with the Madagascar fixture in Uyo now approaching. The match will be followed by the trip to Guinea-Bissau, leaving limited time for Osimhen to recover if the suspected ligament damage is confirmed.

For now, the striker faces a race against time to be fit for both AFCON qualifiers. A three-to-four-month spell on the sidelines, as suggested by Dr. Kubilay, would rule him out of the September games and leave Nigeria without one of its leading attacking players at the start of the qualifying campaign.