Victor Osimhen gets Super Eagles call-up as Galatasaray receive AFCON invitation

Galatasaray have received the formal invitation for Victor Osimhen to join the Super Eagles for Nigeria's opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, Soccernet.ng reports.

The development, reported by Galatasaray insider Ali Naci Küçük, comes as Nigeria prepare for their first AFCON qualifying matches since missing the 2026 World Cup and finishing third at the 2025 AFCON.

The invitation puts Osimhen in the national-team selection process, but there is no confirmation yet that he will play. His fitness will decide whether he can join Eric Chelle's squad.

Osimhen's injury creates the big question

Osimhen suffered a right groin injury during Galatasaray's 3-2 win over Istanbul Başakşehir on September 4. The striker scored after 16 minutes before leaving the match in the 33rd minute.

Galatasaray later said medical tests showed a “moderate to advanced level strain with bleeding” in the right groin area. The club said treatment had started and that the Super Eagles striker was expected to return after the international break.

That update initially appeared to rule him out of Nigeria's September fixtures.

However, the picture has since become less clear. Turkish journalist Ali Naci Küçük reporta that Galatasaray expect Osimhen to travel with the team for their league match away to Trabzonspor. Küçük also said the striker could play if Galatasaray need him, although he stopped short of predicting a starting role.

That game could therefore provide an important test of Osimhen's fitness before Nigeria's qualifiers.

Nigeria will host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on September 25, with kick-off at 4pm Nigerian time. Four days later, the Super Eagles will travel to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau.

The matches are part of Group L, which also contains Tanzania. Because Tanzania are one of the AFCON 2027 co-hosts and already have automatic qualification, the qualifying race in Group L has added importance for Nigeria and the other teams.

Chelle now has two separate issues to resolve. The Malian tactician has to decide whether Osimhen is fit enough to join Nigeria, and, if he is cleared, whether he can handle competitive football so soon after a groin injury.

The invitation confirms that Nigeria still want their second all-time highest goalscorer available. His medical condition will decide whether that plan can become a reality.