By Chukwu Ikechukwu
Nigerians have been assured Victor Osimhen will be available for its upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin next month despite his injury scare.
The Super Eagles face two must-win games against both Group C opponents but their preparations have been hampered by injuries to key players, including the Napoli star striker.
Samuel Chukwueze, Bruno Onyemaechi, Tyrone Ebuehi, Moses Simon, and Zaidu Sanusi are some of the Super Eagles battling varying degrees of injuries and are expected to miss the World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria are currently third in their group behind Rwanda and South Africa with two points from their opening two games and just need to win against Bafana Bafana and the Squirrels to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup.
Napoli assures of Osimhen’s availability
Meanwhile, Napoli has given the Nigeria Football Federation an update on Osimhen’s injury and has assured the Nigerian striker should be available for the World Cup qualifiers in June, Own Goal Nigeria reports.
The Italian club says the 25-year-old forward is not as badly injured as first feared and is already undergoing fitness work in the gym to prepare for his comeback in their final game of the season.
Osimhen has scored 17 goals and created four assists in 31 games for Napoli this season and should take to the pitch when the 2022/23 Serie A champions tackle Lecce in their final game.
Finidi sweats over Osimhen’s injury
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George, could be without Osimhen for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and the Benin Republic.
The Nigerian striker featured in Napoli’s 2-0 loss to Bologna in the Italian Serie A at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Saturday.
The Super Eagles star was on the pitch for the entire 90 minutes of play but could miss Nigeria’s next qualifying games.
