Injury rules out Osimhen from World Cup qualifier encounter against South Africa

Victor Osimhen has officially been confirmed out of the Super Eagles’ crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa.

The Nigeria Football Federation’s media team stated just before the team boarded the flight to Bloemfontein that the Galatasaray striker would not be a part of the team to face Bafana Bafana as a result of the injury he got in the game against Rwanda on Saturday.

Osimhen, who was forced off in the first half of Saturday’s 1-0 win over Rwanda in Uyo, had initially been feared to be struggling with an ankle problem.

However, the team doctor later confirmed the injury as a bruise on his shin.

The Super Eagles official Camp update on Sunday morning read: “Team doctor confirmed Victor Osimhen’s injury is 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.”

Osimhen had only just returned to the national team setup this month after missing the Unity Cup triumph in May and the 1-1 draw with Russia.

His absence is seen as a major blow for Coach Eric Chelle, who had hoped to rely on the striker’s firepower in the high-stakes encounter against Bafana Bafana.

Nigeria kept their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup alive with a slim 1-0 win over Rwanda on Saturday. The result lifted Nigeria into third place, ahead of their game against Bafana Bafana.

Nigeria will face South Africa in their next World Cup qualifying game on Tuesday in Bloemfontein.