World Cup Qualifier: Victor Osimhen blow for Nigeria ahead of South Africa clash

By Samuel Ahmadu

Nigeria’s build-up to next week’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa has been dealt a setback, with confirmation that striker Victor Osimhen will not make the trip to Bloemfontein.

The Galatasaray man picked up a bruise on his chin in the first half of Nigeria’s 1-0 win over Rwanda in Uyo on Saturday, a match decided by substitute Tolu Arokodare’s strike.

The Super Eagles’ Team doctor, Ibrahim Abubakar Gyaran(DR) confirmed on Sunday that Osimhen woke up with discomfort and will be left out of the traveling squad.

“Victor picked up a bruise on his chin and woke up today with some discomfort. After medical assessment, we have decided he will not be traveling with the squad to South Africa in order to allow him rest and recover fully,” the Super Eagles doctor explained.

The development means Nigeria will be without their 2023 African Footballer of the Year for the clash at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, September 10.

Before his latest injury, Oshimen had only featured twice for Nigeria, both in March during the opening six matches of the ongoing African qualifiers, furthering casting shadows on the country’s quest to avoid back-to-back World Cup miss.

As it stands, Nigeria will a win in high-altitude Bloemfontein to stay in the race for a place at the quadruple global showpiece co-hosted by USA-Canada-Mexico next year.

Coach Eric Chelle will now turn to other forward options such as Cyril Dessers, Arokodare, Iheanacho to lead the line against the Bafana Bafana.

Despite Osimhen’s absence, team officials remain confident of a strong performance and hopeful that the striker will return to fitness for subsequent fixtures.

On the log, Nigeria are third with 10 pooints from six matches – six behind leaders South Africa and one behind second placed Benin Republic following Chelle’s first home win, against Rwanda.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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