Super Eagles striker and Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League encounter against Sporting CP at the Estádio José Alvalade.
Osimhen was sidelined after picking up an adductor injury during Galatasaray’s recent Turkish Super Lig fixture against İstanbul Başakşehir. The Nigerian forward was subsequently omitted from the squad that travelled to Portugal for the Champions League encounter.
The injury comes after Osimhen scored in Galatasaray’s 3-2 victory over Başakşehir.
With the Nigerian unavailable, Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has named Barış Alper Yılmaz as the team’s central striker, with Leroy Sané, Aleksey Batrakov and Yunus Akgün providing attacking support.
Osimhen is not the only key player missing for the Turkish champions. Mario Lemina and Wilfried Singo are also unavailable due to injuries.
Galatasaray Starting XI
Uğurcan Çakır; Roland Sallai, Davinson Sánchez, Ismail Jakobs, Eren Elmalı; Lucas Torreira, Gabriel Sara; Leroy Sané, Aleksey Batrakov, Yunus Akgün; Barış Alper Yılmaz.
Osimhen’s injury could also have implications for the Super Eagles, with reports suggesting that the striker could miss Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers later this month.
Nigeria are scheduled to face Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, with Osimhen and Trabzonspor forward Paul Onuachu both reportedly doubts for the fixtures due to injuries.
