Victor Osimhen injury timeline: Will talisman be fit for Super Eagles 2026 WCQ final stand?

Victor Osimhen and the Super Eagles will be watching anxiously over the next fortnight as the striker continues his recovery from an ankle problem. 

Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has opted not to risk the forward, leaving him out of the squad for this week’s league meeting with Konyaspor. The priority is to have him fit for the Champions League clash against Liverpool on 30 September, according to Turkish outlet Hurriyet.

Osimhen sustained the injury while on international duty with Nigeria and has since been placed on an intensive treatment programme. Scans confirmed a moderate strain and bleeding in his ankle ligaments, ruling him out of Galatasaray’s last weekend win over Eyuspor and their Champions League loss to Eintracht Frankfurt. 

Buruk admitted the player was still in pain and confirmed he would not travel to Germany, but there is growing optimism that he could feature against Liverpool, which has been set as the target date for his return.

Will Osimhen be fit for Nigeria’s must-win October fixtures?

For Nigeria, the bigger concern is whether Osimhen can regain full fitness in time for October’s decisive World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin.

The Super Eagles sit on 11 points in Group C, level with Rwanda, and remain in pursuit of leaders South Africa. The situation could yet shift further, as South Africa face possible sanctions from FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee that may alter the standings.

Regardless of any off-field rulings, Nigeria’s path is clear: they must win both remaining fixtures. With Osimhen’s influence as talisman and top scorer, his availability could prove the difference between qualification and disappointment. 

The spotlight now turns to his recovery in Istanbul, where every step back towards fitness will be closely tracked by millions at home.