Watch: Nigeria and Galatasaray dealt major injury worry as Eric Chelle explains Victor Osimhen substitution | OneFootball

Osimhen was replaced at half-time and watched on from the sidelines as Nigeria were beaten by DR Congo on penalties

Nigeria and Galatasaray are sweating on the fitness of Victor Osimhen after the striker was forced to come off against DR Congo.

Frank Onyeka had put Nigeria ahead in the third minute but Meschack Elia’s equaliser meant the two nations went in at the break on level terms.

However, when the Super Eagles returned for the second half, there was no sign of Osimhen as he was replaced by Akor Adams.

Without their talismanic striker, Nigeria failed to create any clear cut chances and ultimately saw their hopes of qualifying for next summer’s World Cup dashed via a penalty shootout.

Explaining the substitution, Chelle told reporters after the game: “Osimhen was substituted at half time due to discomfort he felt behind his leg.”

In a video clip uploaded to X, Osimhen - who was in tears at the half time whistle - can be seen hobbling around at full-time and it remains to be seen if he faces a period on the sidelines.

The Super Eagles will be hopeful the knock is not too serious as their Africa Cup of Nations campaign gets underway in just over a month.

Having reached the final of AFCON in 2024, Nigeria will be aiming to go one better this time and much of their hopes rest on the in-form striker being fit and firing on all cylinders.

Meanwhile, Galatasaray have an important top-of-the-table Turkish Super Lig showdown against Fenerbahce on the horizon, as well as some Champions League ties.