May 28, (THEWILL) – Nigerian football fans were disheartened to find out that star striker, Victor Osimhen, will miss the Super Eagles’ crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches next month due to injury. The 25-year-old Napoli forward, who was part of the Nigeria side that lost this year’s Africa Cup of Nations final to Ivory Coast, has been ruled out for at least four weeks with an undisclosed injury.
The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed Osimhen’s absence on Tuesday and announced that Enugu Rangers defender Kenneth Igboke will replace him in the squad. Nigeria faces a must-win double-header, hosting South Africa in Uyo on June 7 before travelling to Benin Republic three days later.
The Super Eagles find themselves in a precarious position in Group C, sitting third with just two points from their opening two matches. South Africa is second on three points, while Benin props up the group with a solitary point. Leaders Rwanda have four points, with Lesotho and Zimbabwe both on two points each.
With their 2026 World Cup dream hanging in the balance, Nigeria will be desperate to claim maximum points without their talismanic striker. Osimhen has not replicated last season’s form for Napoli this season with changes in the dugout and injury seeing him fall short of the 27 goals he netted in all competitions to fire them to the Serie A title.
His absence leaves Nigeria’s other attackers the task to deliver in these crucial qualifiers that could make or break their World Cup aspirations. All eyes will be on the likes of the fiery Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, Paul Onuachu and Samuel Chukwueze to step up and fill the void left by the absent Osimhen.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
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