Victor Osimhen’s latest injury scare has plunged Nigerian football into renewed uncertainty after the national team crashed out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup race on Sunday night.
DDM gathered that the Nigerian striker suffered a hamstring injury during the playoff clash against DR Congo, an incident that has now placed both his international and club commitments in doubt.
The injury occurred in the first half at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
Osimhen signaled discomfort midway through the match and was unable to continue as the medical team advised an immediate substitution.
Akor Adams was brought on in his place, but analysts say the tactical balance of the Super Eagles shifted sharply after the Napoli forward left the pitch.
Nigeria eventually drew 1–1 after ninety minutes, prompting a penalty shootout that ended 4–3 in favour of DR Congo.
The defeat marked Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the second consecutive tournament, a development that has fuelled renewed criticism of the team’s management and planning.
Football historians note that Nigeria has not missed back-to-back World Cups since the early 1990s, making this elimination particularly alarming.
The absence of Osimhen, widely regarded as Africa’s leading striker, was seen as a decisive factor in Nigeria’s inability to maintain attacking pressure in the later stages of the match.
Reports from All Nigeria Soccer indicate that Galatasaray, the Turkish champions, are now awaiting his immediate return to Istanbul.
The forward is expected to arrive on Sunday for urgent medical evaluation.
Sports Digitale reports that Galatasaray’s medical team will conduct a thorough examination upon his arrival, given the importance of Osimhen to the club’s domestic and European campaign.
The club has scheduled an MRI scan to determine the severity of the hamstring injury.
Hamstring issues are notoriously unpredictable, with recovery timelines varying widely depending on the grade of muscle damage.
Club doctors will create a detailed rehabilitation plan once the imaging results are confirmed.
If the injury is severe, Osimhen could face several weeks on the sidelines, potentially ruling him out of key fixtures for both club and country.
Sports analysts warn that this incident adds to a growing list of fitness concerns surrounding the forward, who has endured multiple injuries over the past two seasons.
The development has sparked wider national debate about Nigeria’s overdependence on Osimhen and the declining depth in the Super Eagles squad.
Critics argue that the team lacks a reliable backup striker capable of replacing the impact of the African Footballer of the Year.
The NFF is expected to face mounting pressure as Nigerians demand accountability for another failed World Cup campaign.
Osimhen’s scan results will determine the next chapter of a turbulent football week for Nigeria and for Galatasaray, who rely heavily on his goal-scoring power.
