Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen faces a spell on the sidelines after suffering a groin injury that is expected to keep him out for between two and three weeks.
The injury rules the Nigeria international out of Galatasaray’s UEFA Champions League opener against Sporting CP on Wednesday and is also likely to prevent him from featuring in Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches later this month.
Osimhen sustained the injury during Galatasaray’s 3-2 Super Lig victory over İstanbul Başakşehir on Friday. He opened the scoring in the 16th minute but was forced off in the 33rd minute after signalling that he could not continue.
Galatasaray’s medical team subsequently carried out MRI and further examinations, which revealed an advanced-moderate strain involving bleeding in the right adductor muscle group.
“Following the completion of MR and advanced examinations at our sponsor Acıbadem Hospital, advanced-moderate level strain (bleeding and strain) has been detected in the right adductor (groin) muscle group of our footballer Victor Osimhen,” the club said on X.
Osimhen had enjoyed an excellent start to the season before the setback, scoring six goals and providing two assists in four Super Lig appearances.
His absence will be particularly significant for Nigeria, who are scheduled to face Madagascar on September 25 before taking on Guinea-Bissau four days later in their opening 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
Galatasaray expect the striker to return after the international break, potentially putting him in contention for their second Champions League league-phase fixture against Barcelona in Istanbul on October 13.
The injury also comes as Nigeria have another fitness concern involving forward Paul Onuachu, who was forced off during Trabzonspor’s 5-0 win over Gençlerbirliği.
For Osimhen, the setback has interrupted a strong run as he continues his pursuit of Rashidi Yekini’s record as Nigeria’s leading goalscorer. The Galatasaray striker has scored eight times in seven appearances for the Super Eagles in 2026, moving within two goals of Yekini’s 37-goal record.
His most recent international goal came in Nigeria’s 2-0 victory over Algeria in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals in January.
While Galatasaray prepare to begin their European campaign without their prolific striker, Nigeria will also have to plan for their qualifying matches without one of their most important attacking players.
