Osimhen left at home with ankle injury as Super Eagles fly out to South Africa for qualifier

NIGERIA'S Super Eagles have departed for South Africa where they will face Bafana Bafana in a must-win World Cup qualifier on Tuesday without star striker Victor Osimhen who has been left behind to receive treatment on an ankle injury he picked up yesterday.

Against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, Osimhen had to be substituted in the first half after receiving a bad knock. This injury has now ruled him out of Tuesday's second game taking place in Bloemfontein in South Africa, which is going to be a key determinant of which team gets to qualify from the group and go to the 2026 World Cup.

This morning, the Nigerian delegation left the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, with their flight headed for the Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein. They will face South Africa who beat Lesotho 3-0 on Saturday at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.

That victory has taken South Africa's points haul at the top of Group C to 16 and put them in prime position for qualification. Nigeria in contrast only have 10 points from their seven games and thus need to win all their remaining four matches to stand any hope of qualifying for the World Cup.

Despite initial treatment on his injry on Saturday, Osimhen, 26 could not continue the game and had to be replaced with Cyriel Dessers in the 35th minute. Scans later confirmed a shin bruise and Nigeria’s medical team advised against any involvement in the match against South Africa.

Apparently, this morning, Osimhen woke up on still in pain and as such a decision was taken to leave him behind, so he did  not travel with the rest of the  squad. Osimhen’s injury opens the door for Woverhampton Wanderers striker Tolu Arokodare, who scored the winner against Rwanda on Saturday after coming off the bench.

Arokodare and current African footballer of the year, Ademola Lookman, will now carry Nigeria’s attacking threat against Bafana Bafana. They will be supported by either Simon Moses, Samuel Chukwueze or Uche Christantus.