Osimhen injury raises AFCON 2025 concerns

Victor Osimhen’s latest setback has put the Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 plans under operational pressure, after the forward picked up a hamstring injury while on international duty.

The striker started Nigeria’s World Cup playoff clash against DR Congo but was withdrawn at half-time after feeling discomfort in his hamstring.

Post-match disclosures confirmed that head coach Eric Chelle made the call to substitute him despite Osimhen’s insistence on continuing.

Sevilla’s Akor Adams replaced him and became the first Nigerian to score in the shoot-out, following misses from Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon.

Subsequent MRI scans in Istanbul revealed a moderate strain with associated bleeding in Osimhen’s left posterior muscle. Current projections put his recovery timeline at roughly three weeks.

The expectation is that he should return to action by the third week of December, cutting things extremely close to Nigeria’s AFCON opener on December 21.

Impact on immediate commitments

The injury has already disrupted Osimhen’s schedule. Despite being among the final three nominees for the 2025 CAF Player of the Year Award, the Galatasaray forward will miss tonight’s ceremony in Rabat as he focuses on treatment and rehabilitation.

The development intensifies pressure on Chelle’s squad management strategy, especially with Ola Aina already sidelined by a hamstring issue.

While Osimhen’s medical team remains confident in his return before the tournament, any setback could put Nigeria’s attacking blueprint at risk.

For now, the forward’s availability hinges on a clean recovery with no recurrence, or extended deadlines.