AFCON Qualifiers: Osimhen, Onuachu Compound Eagles Injury Worries

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been hit by fresh injury concerns ahead of their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches, with Victor Osimhen and Paul Onuachu joining a growing list of players facing fitness problems.

Osimhen sustained a groin injury during Galatasaray’s 3-2 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir. The striker scored the opening goal before being forced off in the 33rd minute.

Galatasaray subsequently confirmed that medical examinations revealed a moderate-to-advanced strain, with bleeding, in Osimhen’s right adductor muscle. The club said treatment was ongoing, putting the forward’s availability for Nigeria’s September fixtures in serious doubt.

The injury is a major concern for coach Eric Chelle, as Osimhen remains one of the Super Eagles’ most important attacking players. The 27-year-old has scored 35 goals for Nigeria, leaving him just two goals behind the late Rashidi Yekini’s national record of 37.

Osimhen has also made an impressive start to the new club season, scoring six goals and providing two assists in four appearances for Galatasaray.

Onuachu also suffered an injury setback despite making a strong contribution for Trabzonspor. The forward scored twice in his side’s 5-0 victory over Gençlerbirligi but was substituted in the 44th minute after reportedly suffering a chin injury.

The latest setbacks add to concerns surrounding several other Super Eagles players. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Sadiq Umar, Tochukwu Nnadi and Zaidu Sanusi are also dealing with recent injuries.

Nigeria are scheduled to begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign against Madagascar on September 25 before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau four days later.

The Super Eagles are in Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania, with Tanzania already assured of a place at the tournament as one of the co-hosts. Nigeria will therefore be under pressure to secure the group’s qualifying spot.

Chelle must now assess his available attacking options and prepare for the possibility of starting the qualifying campaign without Osimhen and potentially Onuachu.

The injuries come at a difficult time for Nigeria, who will be looking to make a strong start to their first major qualifying campaign since missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.