Nigeria will begin their campaign in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers without their main striker Victor Osimhen, who has been ruled out with a groin injury. The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed that the 27-year-old forward remains in recovery and will not be available for the upcoming international fixtures.

Osimhen is set to miss Nigeria’s Group L home meeting with Madagascar in Uyo on September 25, followed by the away fixture against Guinea-Bissau four days later. The Galatasaray forward is also expected to sit out Nigeria’s friendly against Russia in October, extending his period away from international duty.

The injury had already kept Osimhen out of Galatasaray’s last three matches, with his most recent appearance coming on September 4 when he scored in a 3-2 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir in the Turkish Super Lig. His absence represents a significant setback for coach Eric Chelle, with Osimhen having scored 35 goals in 51 appearances for the Super Eagles.

Taiwo Awoniyi of Coventry City has been called up to replace Osimhen in the squad. Nigeria will therefore have to begin their push for a place at the 2027 AFCON finals without their leading attacking figure, as the tournament is scheduled to be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.