Osimhen suffers muscle injury, doubtful for AFCON qualifiers

Victor Osimhen has suffered a muscle injury that could rule him out of action for a few weeks. 

Osimhen picked up a knock and was substituted early in the second half in Galatasaray’s Super Lig encounter against Kasımpaşa on September 28.

The 25-year-old had scored two first-half goals before he was forced off and replaced by Dries Mertens in the game that ended 3-3.

In a statement on Tuesday, Galatasaray said Osimhen was “diagnosed with strain (strain and bleeding) in his upper left posterior muscle group”.

The club added that Osimhen had started treatment, but no exact date for his return to action was revealed.

The striker is expected to miss Galatasaray’s Europa League clash against Latvia’s FK Rīgas on Thursday and may also be unavailable for the club’s league game against Alanyaspor.

Osimhen will also be doubtful for the Super Eagles’ double-header clash against Libya in the  2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The first leg is scheduled to be held at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo on October 11 before the return leg in Libya four days later.

Osimhen scored in the previous round of games when Nigeria defeated the Benin Republic 3-0 in the first game, followed by a frustrating goalless draw against Rwanda.