Will Victor Osimhen play for Nigeria against South Africa? Injury latest | OneFootball

Super Eagles’ star striker was forced off in the first half of key World Cup qualifying victory over Rwanda at the weekend

New Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare came off the bench at half-time to net the only goal of the game in Uyo on Saturday, keeping Eric Chelle’s side third behind South Africa and Benin, who had defeated Lesotho and Zimbabwe respectively on Friday.

Nigeria now sit six points behind Bafana Bafana and one adrift of Benin, with one automatic qualification spot on offer for next summer’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States, and the four best runners-up from the nine groups in African qualifying advancing into the play-offs.

The Super Eagles - who did not qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar - still have to travel to Lesotho and host Benin in their final pair of qualifiers in October, while South Africa are still waiting to learn if they will receive any punishment for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho in March.

Nigeria’s win over Rwanda, while certainly important, was overshadowed by an injury to their talismanic striker Osimhen, who led the hosts’ attack at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium but suffered a lower-leg injury after colliding with an opponent during the first half and initially tried to play through the issue, only to be replaced 10 minutes before the break by former Rangers frontman Cyriel Dessers.

It was a massive concern to see Osimhen depart, though he appeared to watch the rest of the game from the bench.

Quizzed on his status after the game, Chelle said: “I can’t say much about Victor for now. He has pain in his ankle, we will see when he wakes up tomorrow.

“I have to also discuss with the team doctors to see whether he will be available for the game.”

Will Victor Osimhen play for Nigeria against South Africa?

Though there has been no further official update from Nigeria since Saturday, with Chelle expected to address the media at his pre-match press conference on Monday, it has been widely reported that Osimhen did not travel with his Super Eagles team-mates to Bloemfontein on Sunday.

It was stated that the player woke up in pain on Sunday morning and had been subsequently diagnosed by team doctors with a shin bruise, leading to him being quickly ruled out of the clash with South Africa.

He has instead reportedly been flown back to Istanbul, where Galatasaray will be keen to conduct further assessments on their star striker ahead of their next Super Lig fixture, which is away against Eyupspor on Sunday.

They will be desperate for him to return to full fitness ahead of their opening Champions League match in Germany against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday, September 18.