Victor Osimhen latest fitness update breathes life into Super Eagles AFCON aspirations

Victor Osimhen’s early withdrawal from Nigeria’s tense World Cup playoff against DR Congo sent a ripple of concern through both Galatasaray and the Super Eagles’ technical crew.

The striker felt a pull in his hamstring shortly before halftime and was removed as a precaution, then flown back to Istanbul for immediate assessment. Scans later confirmed a mild strain, easing fears of a long layoff.

He missed Galatasaray’s narrow league win over Gençlerbirliği at the weekend, choosing to support his teammates from the stands alongside compatriot Henry Onyekuru. It was a reassuring sight, but the real test now lies in his recovery timeline. The 26-year-old, who leads the UEFA Champions League scoring chart with six goals, will sit out Tuesday’s clash against Union SG as he continues treatment.

The Turkish giants expect to have a clearer picture by Friday, when he undergoes another evaluation. Galatasaray are hopeful he can return for their heavyweight derby against Fenerbahçe next week, yet the approach remains conservative. No one in Istanbul wants to risk turning a minor strain into a major setback.

AFCON 2025: Why Nigeria can’t afford to lose Osimhen

AFCON 2025 kicks off in less than a month in Morocco and Nigeria, drawn in Group C with Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda will be tracking every update from Galatasaray with growing interest.

The Super Eagles’ attack revolves around Osimhen’s presence, and there is simply no like-for-like replacement waiting in the wings.

Beyond his movement, pressing and physicality, he carries a goalscoring record that shows his importance: 31 goals for Nigeria, leaving him just six behind the legendary Rashidi Yekini.

Even on days when he doesn’t find the net, he bends matches to his will, dragging defenders out of shape, unsettling backlines and opening space for the runners around him.

If Nigeria are to mount a serious challenge for a fourth continental title, they need their talisman at full throttle. Friday’s medical update won’t just shape Galatasaray’s plan, it may well define the Super Eagles’ entire AFCON campaign.