Nigeria coach Finidi George faces a selection headache ahead of his crucial World Cup qualifier squad announcement in June, with several key players facing injury concerns.
The latest addition to the growing list of doubts is Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, the reigning African Footballer of the Year.
Osimhen did not participate in full training with Napoli on Monday due to a muscle strain. This puts his participation in their upcoming Serie A match against Fiorentina in doubt, and raises concerns about his availability for the national team. The striker has already missed a significant amount of time this season due to injuries, having sat out for a total of 46 days.
The striker’s struggles extend beyond this recent muscle strain. Back in March, he was on the bench throughout Napoli’s 1-1 draw with Inter at San Siro on March 17th, 2024, barely training in the days leading up to the match. Manager Francesco Calzona confirmed it was due to inflammation of an old injury scar, suggesting he hadn’t fully recovered.
Ironically, Nigeria’s Super Eagles went on to win 2-1 against Ghana during the March international window, but then fell to a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Mali. This inconsistency highlights the challenges Nigeria faces – even when Osimhen is available, his fitness may not be at peak condition.
This news comes after it was confirmed that Samuel Chukwueze is doubtful for the double-header against South Africa and Benin due to a hamstring injury. Right-back, Tyronne Ebuehi is already ruled out for the season after suffering an ACL tear in March.
Moses Simon and Zaidu Sanusi are also out with long-term injuries, further depleting Nigeria’s attacking and defensive options. Boavista fullback Bruno Onyemaechi is another name added to the injury list, unlikely to return before the qualifiers due to a knee injury.
While injuries are a major worry, Finidi George also has to consider the lack of match fitness in some key players. Defenders William Troost-Ekong, Jamilu Collins, and Semi Ajayi haven’t seen much playing time recently.
There is, however, some positive news for the Nigerian camp, as the Turkey-based duo of Bright Osayi-Samuel and Paul Onuachu are back in action after recovering from injury scares.
Nigeria desperately needs to pick up points in June after a disappointing start to their World Cup qualifying campaign. The Super Eagles have drawn their opening two games against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, leaving them in third place in Group C.
The team narrowly missed out on qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after losing to Ghana in a heart-wrenching playoff. They are aiming to avoid a similar fate and secure their place in the 2026 tournament in North America.
Victor Osimhen’s presence would be a major boost for the Nigerian attack. He has established himself as a hero at Napoli, playing a key role in their Serie A title win last season. The 25-year-old scored 26 goals in that campaign, becoming the first African to win the top scorer award in Italy.
Despite missing games this season, Osimhen has shown good form recently, scoring four goals in his last five matches for Napoli. His 15 Serie A goals this season are only surpassed by Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus and Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan.
With six World Cup appearances, Nigeria is a force to be reckoned with in African football. They will be hoping to overcome their current challenges and continue their impressive World Cup record.
Finidi George has a tough task ahead of him as he finalizes his squad for the upcoming qualifiers. Overcoming the injury crisis and integrating players lacking match fitness will be crucial for Nigeria’s hopes of securing a place in the 2026 World Cup.
Toyosi Afolayan is a sports journalist who breathes life into the games we love. He loves to combine insightful analysis with historical background, creating a richer understanding of sports. Afolayan’s expertise ranges from captivating narratives to live broadcasts, captivating audiences across platforms like Ojbsport, AllNigeriaSoccer, TVC Entertainment, Bounce Networks, Kwara TV, ICIR, EaglesTracker, and NFF TV. His background in History and International Studies adds depth, revealing the connections between sports, politics, and national identity.
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