Victor Osimhen Ruled Out of Nigeria’s AFCON 2027 Qualifiers

Nigeria will be without their leading striker Victor Osimhen for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after the 27-year-old was ruled out with a groin injury. The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed that the Galatasaray forward will miss an important part of the Super Eagles’ campaign.

Osimhen is set to miss Nigeria’s Group L home fixture against Madagascar in Uyo on September 25 and the away match against Guinea-Bissau four days later. His absence will also extend into October, when Nigeria are scheduled to face Russia in a friendly as the striker continues his recovery.

The injury has already kept Osimhen out of Galatasaray’s last three matches. His most recent appearance came on September 4, when he scored in a 3-2 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir in the Turkish Super Lig before the groin problem forced him to spend time on the sidelines.

Nigeria have moved quickly to find a replacement, with Coventry City forward Taiwo Awoniyi brought into the squad. Osimhen’s absence represents a significant setback for head coach Eric Chelle, particularly given the striker’s impressive international record of 35 goals in 51 appearances for Nigeria.

The setback also brings an end to uncertainty surrounding Galatasaray’s concerns over Osimhen’s involvement during the international break. Nigeria must now begin their journey toward the 2027 AFCON finals in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania without one of their most influential attacking players, while Osimhen focuses on returning to full fitness.