Nigeria’s Super Eagles are facing a full-blown injury crisis just six days before their crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Tanzania, with Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze ruled out and midfielder Frank Onyeka a major doubt.
The Super Eagles injury crisis means head coach Eric Chelle must now rethink his plans for the two Group L fixtures after losing his two most dangerous attackers in the space of a few days, while Onyeka’s groin problem leaves the midfield short of one of its most reliable options.
Osimhen goes under the knife in Istanbul
Osimhen, Nigeria’s talisman and vice-captain, is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery on Saturday at Maslak Acibadem Hospital in Istanbul.
Galatasaray confirmed on Friday that the 27-year-old strained his left knee during Tuesday’s 2-0 Champions League win over VfB Stuttgart, and that MRI scans revealed a loose body in the joint. Club doctor Yener Ince will perform the procedure, and the striker has already been withdrawn from Saturday’s Super Lig meeting with Amedspor.
Galatasaray have not given an official recovery timeline, although reports in Nigeria suggest he could be out for two to four weeks — a lay-off that would rule him out of both Tanzania games and continue a frustrating run for the striker, who also missed Nigeria’s opening qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar through injury.
Chukwueze’s long road back
Chukwueze’s absence was confirmed earlier in the week after the AC Milan winger underwent successful hip surgery in London.
The 27-year-old suffered a ruptured tendon of the tensor fasciae latae muscle in his left hip during Milan’s 3-2 Serie A win over Atalanta on October 18. The operation, performed by Professor Ernest Schilders with Milan club doctor Stefano Mazzoni present, was described as a complete success.
However, Chukwueze has returned to Italy to begin rehabilitation, and reports indicate a lengthy recovery that could keep him sidelined into 2027 — a heavy blow for the winger.
Onyeka a major doubt after missing Everton trip
The latest concern is Onyeka, who missed Coventry City’s 3-1 Premier League defeat at Everton on Friday night with a groin injury.
The 28-year-old midfielder picked up the problem in training, and Coventry manager Frank Lampard described it as a “small groin sort of injury” while admitting he was unsure whether the Nigerian would be fit in time. Estimates place his return around November 21, meaning he is likely to use the international break to recover rather than join the Super Eagles camp.
Onyeka’s energy and defensive work rate have made him a valued option in Chelle’s midfield, and his possible absence would further weaken a department already built around captain Wilfred Ndidi.
Super Eagles injury crisis: what it means for Chelle and Tanzania
Nigeria host Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, November 13, before travelling to Dar es Salaam for the return fixture on Tuesday, November 17.
The Super Eagles sit second in Group L with three points from two matches — a 2-1 win over Madagascar followed by a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau, who lead the group with six points. Tanzania, already qualified as 2027 co-hosts alongside Kenya and Uganda, have one point and cannot take the group’s sole remaining qualification spot.
Without Osimhen’s aerial threat, pace and goalscoring pedigree, Chelle may turn to options such as Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare or the in-form Kelechi Iheanacho, who has scored 17 goals for Bursaspor this season. Chukwueze’s dribbling and width will also be missed, while Onyeka’s possible absence limits the midfield steel available to the coach.
Chelle has already trimmed his provisional list and is expected to finalise the squad after this weekend’s European club fixtures, with players due to begin arriving in Uyo from Monday, November 9.
These setbacks test the depth of Chelle’s squad at a pivotal stage of the campaign. Strong results against Tanzania remain essential if the Super Eagles are to keep their AFCON 2027 qualification hopes firmly alive.
Meanwhile, club football continues across Europe this weekend — check our today’s football predictions for the best picks.
Photo: Fédération Guinéenne Football (public domain, via Wikimedia Commons) — collage by SportsBuddy.
