Victor Osimhen Will Miss Crucial World Cup Qualifier Against South Africa

Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying campaign has suffered a massive setback after star striker Victor Osimhen was ruled out of Tuesday’s must-win clash against South Africa.

Officials confirmed on Monday that the 2023 African Footballer of the Year did not make the trip to Bloemfontein due to a foot injury.

Victor Osimhen Injury

Osimhen picked up the knock during Nigeria’s 1-0 home win over Rwanda in Uyo on Saturday, leaving fans and teammates concerned about his availability for the high-stakes encounter.

Nigeria Faces Uphill Battle in Group C

The Super Eagles are currently six points behind leaders South Africa in the Group C standings. However, South Africa are expected to be docked three points for fielding a defaulter earlier in the campaign, a development that could shake up the group dynamics.

Even with that possible sanction, Nigeria knows that victory in Bloemfontein is non-negotiable if they are to revive their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

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Only the top team in the group will secure a direct ticket to the finals, making every point critical. Without Osimhen’s firepower, Nigeria will need to rely on other attackers to rise to the occasion against a confident South African side.

The pressure is on the Super Eagles to prove they can deliver when it matters most, even without their talismanic striker.

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