Victor Osimhen, the Galatasaray striker, is battling against the clock to recover in time for Nigeria’s pivotal World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Benin Republic, according to Soccernet.ng.
The Nigerian international, who secured a free transfer to Galatasaray this summer, missed full training on Thursday as the Turkish side intensified preparations ahead of their high-stakes derby against Beşiktaş.
Reports from Fanatik reveal that Osimhen trained separately from his teammates, casting uncertainty over his participation for both club and country in the upcoming fixtures.
The 26-year-old forward has faced a challenging start to his tenure in Istanbul this season.
An injury sustained during Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against Rwanda in September forced him to miss the 1-1 draw with South Africa, and his rehabilitation has taken longer than initially anticipated.
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Despite these setbacks, Osimhen has shown glimpses of his quality, notably converting a crucial penalty in Galatasaray’s narrow 1-0 win over Liverpool recently, though he is still working to regain full match fitness.
The Nigerian coaching team remains on edge, awaiting fitness news as head coach Eric Chelle has yet to announce the squad for the October qualifiers, with time rapidly running out.
Currently, Nigeria occupies third place in Group C, trailing leaders South Africa and Benin by three points. With only the group winner securing direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup, dropping points against Lesotho on October 10 and Benin on October 14 could severely jeopardize their campaign.
Osimhen has featured in five matches for Galatasaray this season, netting three goals, but his impact transcends mere statistics.
The ex-Napoli striker remains the linchpin of Nigeria’s offensive strategy, a player whose speed, strength, and clinical finishing have often been the difference in tight matches. His absence could leave the Super Eagles struggling to find the back of the net.
Meanwhile, Galatasaray are eager to have Osimhen available for their crucial Sunday showdown with Beşiktaş, a fixture that could influence the early dynamics of the Süper Lig title race. Coach Okan Buruk has been guarded, withholding confirmation on whether his star forward will take part.
For now, Nigeria can only hope that Osimhen recovers in time, as their World Cup aspirations may hinge on his fitness.
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