Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen and Trabzonspor forward Paul Onuachu might miss Nigeria’s first 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau later this month due to injuries.
Galatasaray confirmed on Sunday that Osimhen has a groin injury, while Onuachu was also taken off in the 44th minute after scoring twice in Trabzonspor’s 5-0 win over Gençlerbirliği.
Osimhen sustained the injury during Galatasaray’s exciting 3-2 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir after scoring the first goal. He played 33 minutes before being substituted.
Onuachu was also reported to have broken his chin during a challenge, adding to the growing list of injury concerns for coach Eric Chelle ahead of these two matches.
Already injured are Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Sadiq Umar, Tochukwu Nnadi, and Zaidu Sanusi, who all recently sustained knocks.
In an update on Sunday, Galatasaray said Osimhen and midfielder Mario Lemina had moderate-to-severe strains with bleeding in the right groin area.
“Following the completion of MR and advanced examinations at our sponsor Acıbadem Hospital, advanced-moderate level strain (bleeding and strain) has been detected in the right adductor (groin) muscle group of our footballer Victor Osimhen,” the club said.
“Similarly, advanced-moderate level strain (bleeding and strain) has been detected in the right adductor muscle group of our player Mario Lemina, whose examinations have also been completed, and their treatment processes are ongoing.”
This update raises doubts about Osimhen’s availability for Nigeria’s September fixtures, where the Super Eagles will begin their 2027 AFCON campaign against Madagascar on September 25 before traveling to face Guinea-Bissau four days later.
These two matches are part of Group L, which includes Nigeria, Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau, and co-hosts Tanzania. Only the highest-ranked team aside from Tanzania, who have already qualified, will advance from the group.
If Osimhen misses the games, Nigeria will be without one of their key attacking players at the start of the tournament.
A missed window could also delay his rise on Nigeria’s all-time goalscoring list. The 27-year-old has scored 35 goals for the Super Eagles, just two behind the late Rashidi Yekini, who holds the record with 37.
At the club level, Osimhen has scored six goals and provided two assists in four games this season.
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