Confirmed: Osimhen ruled out of Super Eagles’ September AFCON qualifiers

Victor Osimhen will miss Nigeria's opening Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau after Galatasaray confirmed that the striker is dealing with a serious groin injury, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigeria international picked up the medical issue during Galatasaray's thrilling 3-2 win at Istanbul Basaksehir, after scoring the opening goal.

Galatasaray said Osimhen and midfielder Mario Lemina are suffering from a “moderate to advanced level strain with bleeding in the right groin area.”

The Turkish club added: “Their treatment is currently ongoing and they should return after the international break.”

That update rules Osimhen out of Nigeria's September fixtures, with the Super Eagles beginning their 2027 AFCON campaign against Madagascar on September 25 before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau four days later.

Osimhen injury comes at a difficult point for Nigeria

The first match will be played in Nigeria at 16:00 GMT on September 25. Nigeria will then face Guinea-Bissau away at 16:00 GMT on September 29, according to the Confederation of African Football's confirmed schedule.

The two matches are part of Group L, where Nigeria were drawn alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and co-hosts Tanzania. Only the highest-ranked team apart from automatically qualified Tanzania will advance from the group.

Osimhen's absence leaves Nigeria without one of their most important attacking players for the start of the campaign.

The Galatasaray striker has been a central figure for the Super Eagles in recent years, making his goals and physical presence difficult to replace. His injury also comes as Nigeria begin a new qualification campaign after failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Nigeria have history against both September opponents. The Super Eagles beat Madagascar home and away during the qualifiers for the 2012 AFCON, while Guinea-Bissau defeated Nigeria in Abuja during the 2023 AFCON qualifying race before the Super Eagles won in Bissau.

Super Eagles must find goals without their main striker

Nigeria coach Eric Chelle will now have to choose another option to lead the attack. The squad still has several forwards capable of filling the gap, but Osimhen's absence changes how Nigeria can approach the two games. His ability to run behind defenders, hold up the ball and attack crosses gives the Super Eagles a different threat in the final third.

The first test comes against Madagascar in Uyo, where Nigeria will be expected to start the qualification campaign with a victory. Four days later, the Super Eagles face Guinea-Bissau in an away match that could demand even more from the attack. CAF's schedule places both Group L matches inside the same international window, with Madagascar also facing Tanzania on September 29.

Osimhen's expected return after the international break means Nigeria must plan for the September window without their star forward, while Galatasaray will hope his treatment allows him to recover before their domestic and European schedule resumes.