Nigeria will be without star striker Victor Osimhen when they face South Africa on Tuesday, after the forward was ruled out with a chin injury.
Team doctor confirmed that the Galatasaray hitman sustained a bruise on his chin and woke up with discomfort on Sunday morning.
Following medical assessment, the decision was made that he will not travel with the Super Eagles squad to Johannesburg.
Osimhen’s absence comes as a huge setback for Nigeria, who are banking on a strong performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The 25-year-old has been a key figure in the Super Eagles’ attack, and his absence forces head coach Éric Sékou Chelle to reshuffle the front line. Nigeria will now look to Tolu Arokodare in Johannesburg.
The Super Eagles secured a hard-fought win in Johannesburg, thanks to a decisive strike from Tolu Arokodare, who scored the only goal of the match.
The 25-year-old forward proved to be the difference on the night, stepping up in the absence of Nigeria’s regular attacking options. His composed finish not only sealed the victory but also underlined his growing importance in the national team setup.
Chelle praised the team’s resilience, noting that the result was crucial in keeping Nigeria’s campaign on track.
With this performance, Arokodare has strengthened his case as a key figure in the Super Eagles’ attack going forward.
