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- Victor Osimhen refused the NFF’s request to travel with the Super Eagles to South Africa for the World Cup qualifiers
- The Galatasaray striker is focusing on recovery and may feature in the Champions League this week
- Nigeria drew 1-1 with Bafana Bafana, leaving their 2026 World Cup hopes in jeopardy with the result
Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup hopes took another hit after reports emerged that star striker Victor Osimhen rejected a request from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to travel with the Super Eagles for their crucial qualifier against South Africa.
Osimhen, who picked up an ankle injury during Nigeria’s 1-0 win over Rwanda, was expected to be absent from the match but still provide moral support from the bench.
Source: Twitter
According to Daily Post, the Galatasaray forward instead returned to Turkey immediately after the first game of the international break due to his injury.
NFF officials beg Osimhen to travel
Osimhen limped off during the first half in Nigeria’s 1-0 victory against Rwanda after a heavy challenge.
The Super Eagles’ medical team initially downplayed the seriousness of the injury, diagnosing the issue as a shin bruise, but further tests in Turkey revealed a moderate ankle sprain, Sports247 reports.
Galatasaray’s doctors began treatment immediately and officially ruled the 2023 CAF Men’s Player of the Year winner out of the crucial qualifier against South Africa in Bloemfontein.
Despite the confirmed injury, NFF officials reportedly pleaded with the 26-year-old to travel with the Super Eagles team to Johannesburg to boost morale ahead of the high-stakes qualifier.
According to sports broadcaster Charles Anazodo, who cited a reliable source, Osimhen “blatantly refused” and instead chose to return to his club.
“A very reliable source today told me the @thenff officials pleaded with Osimhen to travel with the @NGSuperEagles to South Africa as a means of support despite his injury. He blatantly refused and chose to go back to his club,” Anazodo wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Nigeria’s World Cup hopes dented
Without Osimhen leading the attack, Nigeria struggled to break down Bafana Bafana.
Source: Getty Images
The Super Eagles fell behind after an own goal by captain William Troost-Ekong, but rescued a point through Calvin Bassey’s equaliser in first-half added time.
The 1-1 draw left Nigeria in third place in Group C with just 11 points from eight matches, six points behind leaders South Africa and three behind Benin.
With only two games remaining, Nigeria’s qualification hopes for the 2026 World Cup are now hanging by a thread.
Osimhen’s focus turns to club football
While fans continue to debate whether Osimhen should have joined the squad for moral support, the striker has shifted his attention to club duty.
Reports from Turkey suggest he is progressing well in his recovery and could return to action when Galatasaray face Frankfurt in the Champions League this week.
As Nigeria face the prospect of missing out on the World Cup, the pressure on the NFF, the coaching staff, and senior players will only intensify in the coming months.
Galatasaray give Osimhen injury update
In a related development, Legit.ng reported that Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk has provided the latest update on Victor Osimhen’s injury after the 2-0 Turkish Super League win over Eyupspor.
The champions played their first match after the international break without the striker, after he returned from national duty with an ankle injury.
Source: Legit.ng
