Osimhen Ruled Out of Galatasaray UCL Opener, Set to Miss AFCON Qualifiers

Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League opener against Sporting CP and is also expected to miss Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches.

The Nigerian forward suffered a right adductor injury during Galatasaray’s 3-2 Turkish Super Lig victory over Istanbul Başakşehir on Friday.

Osimhen opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a powerful strike but was forced off in the 33rd minute after signalling that he could no longer continue. He was replaced by Barış Alper Yılmaz as Galatasaray eventually secured victory through Gabriel Sara’s late goal.

Medical examinations at Acıbadem Hospital subsequently confirmed an advanced-moderate strain involving bleeding in Osimhen’s right adductor, or groin, muscle group.

Galatasaray said treatment had begun, with reports indicating that the 27-year-old could spend between two and three weeks on the sidelines.

The injury rules Osimhen out of Galatasaray’s opening Champions League league-phase fixture against Sporting CP in Portugal on Wednesday, dealing a significant blow to the Turkish champions as they begin their European campaign.

His absence is also expected to affect Nigeria’s preparations for the start of the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.

The Super Eagles are scheduled to face Madagascar on September 25 before travelling to play Guinea-Bissau four days later. Osimhen is expected to miss both matches if he follows the projected recovery timeline.

Galatasaray are hopeful that the striker will return after the international break and be available for their next Champions League fixture against Barcelona in Istanbul on October 13.

Osimhen had made an impressive start to the new season, scoring six goals and providing two assists in four league appearances before the injury.

His absence will be a major setback for Nigeria, particularly as the striker remains a key figure in the Super Eagles’ attack.

Osimhen has also been closing in on Rashidi Yekini’s all-time Nigeria goalscoring record. He is currently two goals short of Yekini’s 37-goal tally after scoring eight times in seven appearances for the national team in 2026.

Nigeria could face further concerns in attack after fellow Super Eagles forward Paul Onuachu also suffered a fitness setback while playing for Trabzonspor.

For now, both Galatasaray and Nigeria will have to plan without Osimhen as the striker begins his recovery from the groin injury.