Nigeria’s World Cup Hopes in Jeopardy As Victor Osimhen Limps off Injured Against Rwanda
- Nigeria's World Cup hopes suffered a big blow after Victor Osimhen left the pitch injured against Rwanda
- The Galatasaray forward took a knock and tried to play on, but was eventually substituted and looked disappointed
- Osimhen scored in the first half, but was ruled out with Eric Chelle visibly worried on the sideline due to the incident
Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup took a heavy blow after Victor Osimhen went off injured in the first half against Rwanda.
Osimhen led the attack in the must-win match against Amavubi and had the ball in the net in the first half, but it was ruled out for offside.
Source: Getty Images
Nigeria struggled to break down the Rwandans in the first half as the scores were levelled after the first 45 minutes at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Victor Osimhen injured against Rwanda
The Galatasaray striker went down under a challenge in the first half, and after medical intervention, he was unable to continue and left the pitch disappointed.
Eric Chelle threw on Panathinaikos forward Cyriel Dessers for his competitive debut as the Super Eagles search for a goal and, consequently, a win against Rwanda.
Minutes later, he introduced Tolu Arokodare for Frank Onyeka, pairing the Wolverhampton Wanderers striker up top with Dessers.
Both strikers pressured the Rwandan box, and it yielded results with Arokodare putting it home after a scuffle in the box, and the Super Eagles held on.
As noted by Transfermarkt, it was Arokodare’s second goal in four matches for the national team since his debut against Rwanda in March.
Eric Chelle provides updates on Osimhen
Head coach Eric Chelle, who was visibly worried after the Galatasaray striker went off injured, provided an injury update on the striker after the match.
He confirmed that the forward took a hard knock to his ankle, but nothing is known yet, as he will be assessed tomorrow to decide the next step.
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“Osimhen felt pain in his ankle; we will assess his condition tomorrow,” he said during the post-match conference, as quoted by Daily Post.
Chelle and Nigerians will hope that the injury is not serious ahead of the important match against Group C leaders Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
South Africa beat Lesotho on matchday seven and are six points ahead of Nigeria, making the match on Tuesday a must-win for the Super Eagles.
Source: Getty Images
Osimhen's injury is not only a concern for Nigeria but also for his club, Galatasaray, and the news of his injury has gone viral in the Turkish media.
The striker had an injury scare during Galatasaray's 3-1 victory over Rizespor. He went down holding his ankle, but continued the match.
Galatasaray will hope that his injury is not serious and can return to action after the international break, with Mauro Icardi still working his way to full fitness after an ACL injury.
Nigerian writer Osaze Ero described Osimhen’s injury as a big miss for Nigeria and it might cost Nigeria the World Cup ticket, which was uncertain initially.
“This is not the news Nigerians need at this crucial moment as they chase the World Cup ticket ahead of a crucial trip to South Africa,” he told Legit.ng.
“Osimhen will be a big miss, and whether Tolu Arokodare is ready to make an impact from the start is another question. The Wolves' forward starting in a two-man attack with Osimhen would have been ideal.
“Eric Chelle needs to find creative means of winning the match in Bloemfontein, else everything could turn really toxic from there onwards.”
Nigerians react to 1-0 win over Rwanda
Legit.ng reported that Nigerians reacted to Super Eagles’ 1-0 win over Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
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Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen confronts player who injured him during 2026 WCQ, video
Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Tolu Arokodare scored within minutes of coming off the bench to give the team a boost ahead of facing South Africa on Tuesday.
Source: Legit.ng
