Victor Osimhen: When could Super Eagles star return to action?

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is closing in on a return to competitive action with Galatasaray following an injury layoff, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 27-year-old has been out of action since suffering an injury during Galatasaray’s 3-2 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir in a Turkish Super Lig game on September 4.

Osimhen was forced off in the first half, moments after opening the scoring with his sixth league goal of the campaign. The injury was later diagnosed as a right adductor muscle problem and has since ruled him out of Galatasaray’s last three games.

The Turkish champions have struggled in his absence, winning just once and losing twice, including a disappointing 4-0 defeat to Trabzonspor in their final game before the international break.

Osimhen was initially included in the 24-man Super Eagles squad named by head coach Eric Chelle for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

However, he eventually withdrew from the squad because he had not fully recovered from the injury and was not considered fit enough to feature.

His absence was felt by the Super Eagles, who beat Madagascar 2-1 before suffering a shock 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their second qualifier.

When could Victor Osimhen return to action?

With the international break almost over, Osimhen is now closing in on a return to team training and is expected to rejoin his Galatasaray teammates soon.

According to Sporx, the Nigerian striker is expected to be fully fit to feature in Galatasaray’s Champions League clash against Barcelona on October 13.

Galatasaray began their European campaign with a 3-1 defeat to Sporting CP, with Osimhen absent from the clash because of his injury.

However, before the clash against Barcelona, the striker is expected to feature against Kasimpasa, giving him the opportunity to regain his fitness and sharpness ahead of the Champions League encounter.

A return against Kasimpasa would also allow Osimhen to gradually build up his match fitness rather than being thrown straight into a high-profile Champions League game.

The Nigerian striker will be hoping to return to training soon and pick up where he left off after making an excellent start to the season.

Osimhen has scored six goals and provided two assists in four league appearances for Galatasaray this season.

He will also be in contention to return for the Super Eagles’ double-header against Tanzania in November as Nigeria look to return to winning ways in their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.

Chelle will be hoping Osimhen can recover fully in time for those fixtures and avoid any further setbacks as Nigeria look to get their qualification campaign back on track.