Nigeria’s hopes of sealing a crucial victory in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers have suffered a setback, as Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of Tuesday’s clash against South Africa in Bloemfontein due to injury.
The update, confirmed from the Super Eagles camp on Sunday, revealed that the Galatasaray striker will not travel with the team after sustaining a shin injury during Nigeria’s narrow 1-0 win over Rwanda on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
Osimhen, who started the game, was forced off in the 35th minute after struggling to continue following a heavy tackle. He was initially attended to by team doctors but later replaced by Cyril Dessers.
Speaking on the situation, team media officer Promise Efoghe explained that the 26-year-old forward woke up with discomfort and was subsequently ruled out of the trip.
“Team doctor confirmed Victor Osimhen’s injury is a bruise on his shin. He woke up this morning with discomfort and will not be traveling with the squad to South Africa for Tuesday’s game,” Efoghe said.
The injury blow comes just as Nigeria recorded their first win in five matches in Group A of the African qualifiers, placing the Super Eagles in third position with 10 points from seven games.
Group leaders South Africa, who top the table with 16 points, are set for a decisive clash with Nigeria in what has been described as a winner-takes-all encounter on September 9, 2025.
Reported by: Stone Reporters News
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