NIGERIA coach Eric Chelle was handed a fresh injury concern on Friday after Victor Osimhen was forced off with a suspected muscle injury, even as Kelechi Iheanacho and Moses Usor continued to press their claims for a Super Eagles recall.
News Point Nigeria Sport reports that Osimhen limped off in the 33rd minute of Galatasaray’s 3-2 Super Lig win over Istanbul Basaksehir, moments after scoring his sixth goal of the season, and was replaced by Baris Alper Yilmaz.
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The development was contained in a report by PUNCH Sports Extra, which noted that Osimhen’s injury could further complicate Chelle’s attacking options ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures.
The 27-year-old had given Galatasaray the lead with a clinical finish in the 16th minute, extending a rich vein of form that had included a match-winning penalty against Goztepe and a brace against Corum in recent weeks.
Osimhen, however, was unable to continue after appearing to pick up the injury. Reports from Turkey said he suffered discomfort around his groin/adductor area following a sprint before signalling to the bench that he needed to be substituted.
Istanbul Basaksehir responded after the break, with Eldor Shomurodov converting a penalty in the 66th minute to level the score.
Galatasaray regained the advantage five minutes later when Lucas Torreira found the back of the net in the 71st minute after a well-worked team play.
The hosts were pegged back again after Davinson Sánchez turned the ball into his own net, restoring parity and setting up a tense finish.
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With the match heading towards a draw, Gabriel Sara produced a moment of brilliance in the 90th minute, curling a free-kick into the net to hand Galatasaray all three points.
Osimhen’s injury is a blow for Chelle, who is already under pressure after Nigeria’s absence from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the Super Eagles set to host Madagascar on September 25 before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29 in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
While Chelle assesses the extent of Osimhen’s injury, he also faces a growing selection debate in attack.
Bursaspor striker Iheanacho took his league tally to six goals and two assists in five matches with a brace in a 4-0 win over Istanbulspor on Thursday, having scored or assisted in every league game he has played for the Turkish club this season. The 29-year-old has now recorded eight goal contributions in five matches, strengthening his case for a return to the national team.
However, Iheanacho’s path back into the squad remains difficult, with Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare also competing for places. His latest brace has nevertheless raised fresh questions over whether Chelle can continue to overlook the in-form striker.
Also in contention is LASK forward Moses Usor, who is 24 years old and has scored three goals and provided four assists in eight matches in all competitions this season, including a goal and an assist as the Austrian club overturned a 3-0 first-leg deficit to beat Celtic 5-1 in extra time and reach the Champions League league phase.
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Usor’s versatility, with the ability to play as a winger or a supporting forward, has strengthened his case, though he faces competition from established options such as Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon.
With Osimhen’s fitness now in doubt, Chelle may have to decide sooner rather than later whether either Iheanacho or Usor deserves a place in his squad for the qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
