The African Player of the Year will miss Nigeria’s must-win qualifier against South Africa after picking up an injury in the victory over Rwanda, dealing a severe blow to the team’s hopes.
Nigeria’s path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been dealt a devastating blow. Super Eagles star striker Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of Tuesday’s critical qualifier against South Africa after suffering a shin injury during the team’s narrow 1-0 win over Rwanda on Saturday.
The incident occurred in the 35th minute when Osimhen, who started the match, was on the receiving end of a heavy challenge from Claude Niyomugabo. The Napoli star was forced to leave the pitch immediately and was replaced by Cyriel Dessers.
While initial assessments were uncertain, the Nigerian Football Federation confirmed the bad news on Sunday. In a statement, the team doctor diagnosed the injury as a bruise on his shin. “He woke up this morning with discomfort and will not be travelling with the squad to South Africa for Tuesday’s game,” the statement read.
This absence is a monumental setback for Coach Eric Chelle and the entire squad. Osimhen, the reigning African Player of the Year, is the team’s most potent goal threat and talisman. Without him, the scoring burden will now fall on the shoulders of Cyriel Dessers, Tolu Arokodare, and wingers Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze.
The timing could not be worse. The Super Eagles departed for Bloemfontein on Sunday morning to prepare for what is essentially a must-win showdown against Hugo Broos’s South Africa. Currently sitting third in their qualifying group with 10 points, anything less than a victory at the Free State Stadium would deliver a potentially fatal blow to their World Cup dreams.
The team and its passionate fans are desperate to avoid the heartbreak of 2022, when they missed out on the Qatar World Cup after a painful defeat to Ghana. With the nation’s hopes on their shoulders and their star man watching from the sidelines, the pressure is immense for the remaining players to step up and keep the dream alive.
Similar Posts:
- Heartbreak for Nigeria as Zimbabwe’s Late Strike Dashes World Cup Hopes
- Super Eagles Struggle to Draw Against Bafana Bafana in World Cup Qualifier
- Zimbabwe Coach Taunts Nigeria After Shock Draw: “If We’re Out, So Are You!”
- Lookman Puts Transfer Disappointment Behind Him, Focused on Super Eagles’ World Cup Mission
- Victor Osimhen Stays Focused: Super Eagles Star Dismisses Transfer Talk After Stellar Performance in Rwanda (video)
Sultanahmet walking tour Friendly staff and comfortable transportation. https://2emevie.tech/?p=5308