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Victor Osimhen was among three Super Eagles players absent from training on Thursday as Nigeria stepped up preparations for their Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 clash against Mozambique, footynaija.com reports.
Osimhen, Cyriel Dessers and Ryan Alebiosu did not take part in the session in Fes, with head coach Éric Chelle ordering training to be held behind closed doors as the tournament moves into its knockout phase.
Osimhen’s absence is not injury-related. No medical update has been issued, and the decision is believed to be linked to managing the workload of Nigeria’s most valuable player.
Despite not being among the top-rated stars, the Galatasaray striker has been one of Nigeria’s standout performers at AFCON 2025. Osimhen scored against Tunisia and captained the Super Eagles in the win over Uganda. Alongside Calvin Bassey, he started all three group matches.
Dessers, however, remains sidelined with a thigh injury and has yet to feature in Morocco.
Defender Ryan Alebiosu is also struggling after suffering a big cut in his leg against Uganda. The Blackburn Rovers full-back impressed on his international debut, but is expected to miss Monday’s match.
Chelle has barred media access to training on Thursday and Friday, insisting he needs time with his players without distraction.
Nigeria won all three group games, scoring eight goals, the highest tally so far, and will face Mozambique on Monday night at the Complexe Sportif de Fès for a place in the quarter-finals.
