Osimhen injury: Super Eagles and Galatasaray games he could miss

Victor Osimhen’s injury has put both Nigeria and Galatasaray on alert, with the striker facing a possible lengthy spell out at a crucial point in the season, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Super Eagles striker, who snubbed a number of European clubs this summer, scored Galatasaray’s opener against İstanbul Başakşehir on Friday, but his night ended early. Osimhen felt the injury after a challenge with Christopher Operi in the 23rd minute. He later held his groin after making a run behind the defence and asked to come off in the 31st minute. The forward, one of the top earners in Turkey, was replaced by Barış Alper Yılmaz in the 33rd minute.

Turkish doctor Dr. Gürkan Kubilay believes Osimhen may have suffered a ligament tear inside the muscle. Kubilay said injuries of that type can keep players out for three to four months. That is an early medical opinion, not yet an official diagnosis from Galatasaray.

Nigeria could lose Osimhen for both September qualifiers

The possible absence comes at a difficult moment for the Super Eagles. Nigeria are due to open their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar on September 25 in Uyo before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29.

If Osimhen’s injury keeps him out for three months, he would almost certainly miss both matches. A four-month absence would take his recovery into early January, putting his participation in later Nigeria games at risk too.

That would be a major setback for Eric Chelle, who has relied on Osimhen’s goals at the heart of the Super Eagles attack.

Galatasaray face a packed schedule without their striker

Galatasaray’s first major problem comes almost immediately. The club are scheduled to visit Sporting CP in the Champions League on September 9, only five days after Osimhen’s injury. They then face Kocaelispor on September 13 and Trabzonspor on September 20 in the Süper Lig.

A three-month absence could also rule the former Napoli forward out of the October run, including the home Champions League clash with Barcelona on October 13 and the trip to Lille on October 21. Galatasaray also have league games against Kasımpaşa, Gençlerbirliği and Fenerbahçe during that period.

If the layoff reaches four months, the damage could stretch into December. Osimhen could miss Champions League games against Stuttgart on November 3, Aston Villa on November 24 and AEK Athens on December 8, alongside Süper Lig matches against Konyaspor, Amed, Samsunspor, Beşiktaş and Rizespor.

Galatasaray have not yet announced an official recovery period. Until further medical tests are completed, the three-to-four-month forecast should be treated as a warning rather than a confirmed timeline.