Club Vs Country Tension Resurfaces As Osimhen’s AFCON Status Remains Uncertain

Club Vs Country Tension Resurfaces As Osimhen’s AFCON Status Remains Uncertain

By Admin 

Victor Osimhen’s availability for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is increasingly uncertain as Galatasaray continues to assess the striker’s recovery from a hamstring injury sustained during Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying playoff fixtures, OwnGoalNigeria reported on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.

The Turkish champions have projected a minimum three-week layoff for the Super Eagles forward, who has already missed several training sessions and recent match action. With AFCON less than a month away, his race against time to regain full fitness has become a major concern for both club and country.

Galatasaray officials have also expressed frustration over what they consider excessive use of the player during the qualifiers. In the first-leg match against Gabon, Osimhen completed the full 120 minutes—including extra time—despite the club advising Nigeria’s technical crew to restrict his involvement to 70 minutes due to a pre-existing hamstring issue. That extended workload is believed to have aggravated the injury, casting further uncertainty over his readiness for the continental tournament.

Osimhen’s potential absence presents a significant challenge for head coach Eric Chelle, who has built much of Nigeria’s attacking structure around the prolific forward. With the tournament set to kick off soon, the Super Eagles may be forced to evaluate alternative striking options while finalizing their AFCON squad.

If his recovery does not accelerate, medical assessments suggest Osimhen may not return to peak condition until the start of next season. Galatasaray will continue to monitor his progress over the coming weeks, leaving his participation in Africa’s premier football competition in doubt.