Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of the Super Eagles’ crunch 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier away at South Africa due to an injury picked up in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Rwanda in Uyo, Afrosport reports.
The Galatasaray forward was taken off in discomfort in the first half after a challenge by a Rwandan defender on his shin and was replaced by Cyriel Dessers.
Despite Osimhen’s absence, Nigeria still managed to get the all-important goal thanks to second half substitute and Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Tolu Arokodare.
According to NFF media, the 2023 African Player of the Year had a bruise on his shin in the game and woke up in discomfort on Sunday morning which will not see him travel to Bloemfontein on Tuesday.
“Team doctor confirmed Victor Osimhen’s injury is a bruise on his Shin,” read an update disclosed to the media.
“He woke up this morning with discomfort and will not be traveling with the squad to South Africa for Tuesday’s game.”
Match-winner ⚡️
Tolu Arokodare with the decisive strike for the Super Eagles last night🦅#SoarSuperEagles #Naija4theWin pic.twitter.com/ip7G20VwMn
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) September 7, 2025
Osimhen will now return back to his club Galatasaray with the hope to be fit for the next Turkish Super Lig game against Eyupspor on September 14 followed by their UEFA Champions League opener away at Eintracht Frankfurt four days later.
Nigeria have moved up to third in Group C in the qualifiers and are six points behind leaders South Africa who defeated Lesotho 3-0 in Bloemfontein earlier on Friday.
