Galatasaray will have to wait longer for Victor Osimhen’s return after the Nigerian striker was left out of the squad for Saturday’s trip to Trabzonspor, with the club also reportedly failing in an attempt to keep him away from Nigeria’s upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Footynaija.com reports.
Osimhen has now missed three matches since suffering the injury against Istanbul Basaksehir on September 4, when he opened the scoring before being forced off in the 33rd minute.
Galatasaray later confirmed a strain and pain in the right adductor muscle group, leaving the striker facing a race against time to recover before the international break.
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The 27-year-old subsequently missed the Champions League defeat to Sporting CP and the 1-0 Super Lig victory over Kocaelispor. He then trained away from the main group again this week, putting his chances of facing Trabzonspor in doubt.
That concern was confirmed on Friday when Osimhen was left out of Galatasaray’s travelling squad for the league fixture. The club will therefore enter the weekend without their first-choice striker, who has not played since his early withdrawal against Basaksehir.
NFF reject Galatasaray request
Galatasaray reportedly asked the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) not to use Osimhen during the September international window so that he can continue his recovery at club level.
According to a report by Türkiye Today, that request has been rejected by the NFF as the Super Eagles prepare for their opening 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Osimhen has already been included in Eric Chelle’s 24-man squad for the two matches, with Nigeria hosting Madagascar in Uyo on September 25 before travelling to Guinea-Bissau four days later.
His inclusion does not mean he will definitely play. The striker must first recover fully and pass the necessary medical checks before Nigeria can consider using him.
But the NFF’s decision keeps that possibility open, while Galatasaray now face the prospect of Osimhen leaving for international duty before making his competitive return for the Turkish champions.
