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Nigeria’s World Cup campaign has been rocked by fresh injury concerns over star striker Victor Osimhen, who limped off with an ankle problem in Saturday’s 1-0 win against Rwanda, Footynaija.com reports.
The Galatasaray forward lasted less than 30 minutes in Uyo before being replaced, leaving Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle sweating on his availability for Tuesday’s showdown with South Africa in Bloemfontein.
“I can’t say much about Victor for now. He has pain in his ankle, we will see when he wake up tomorrow,” Chelle told reporters. “I have to also discuss with the team doctors to see whether he will be available for the game.”
Osimhen’s absence would be a crushing blow. He scored twice against Rwanda in March and remains Nigeria’s most lethal weapon in their pursuit of an automatic qualification spot for the 2026 World Cup.
Victory against Rwanda, secured by Tolu Arokodare’s spectacular overhead kick, keeps Nigeria mathematically alive, but the margins are razor-thin.
South Africa sit six points clear at the top of Group C with only three matches remaining. Anything less than victory in Bloemfontein will leave Nigeria staring at the lottery of a play-off route.
Osimhen, 26, had only just returned to the squad after being left out of the Unity Cup and a friendly against Russia in May. Now, his fitness could define Nigeria’s entire campaign.
