Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

2026 World Cup Qualifier: Osimhen Returns to S'Eagles Camp

POSTED ON May 27, 2024 •   Sports      BY Samuel O . Adeniyi
Super Eagles Striker, Victor Osimhen | Photo Credit: Soccernet

Super Eagles star striker Victor Osimhen, sidelined since May 11 with a muscle injury, made a notable comeback at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday.

Osimhen's return, according to DailyPost boosted Super Eagles spirit and that of the head coach, Finidi George ahead of their crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana next week.

Osimhen, the reigning African Footballer of the Year, had been a major doubt for Nigeria's June international fixtures against South Africa and Benin Republic.

However, a recent update from Napoli revealed that while Osimhen initially underwent personalized training sessions, he was unexpectedly included in the matchday squad against Lecce.

Despite speculations that his inclusion was a farewell gesture ahead of a potential transfer to Chelsea or Paris Saint-Germain, Osimhen ended up playing for 25 minutes and made a significant impact, nearly scoring with a last-minute header.

If Osimhen remains injury-free in the upcoming training sessions, he is expected to start against South Africa on June 7. This would be a crucial reinforcement for the Super Eagles as they aim to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup.

Meanwhile, the fitness status of another key player, Samuel Chukwueze, remains uncertain.

AC Milan announced on Saturday that Chukwueze missed their final season match against Salernitana due to a hamstring injury, putting his availability for the upcoming internationals in doubt.

The Super Eagles will be looking to leverage Osimhen's return to boost their offensive capabilities against a strong South African side.

The team's preparation continues with cautious optimism as they await further updates on Chukwueze's condition.

READ ALSO
Leon Balogun Bids Farewell to Rangers, After Contract Expires
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 20, 2025 0

Leon Balogun, a defender for the Nigerian national football team, has left Scottish club Rangers Foo...

READ ALSO
Farioli Resigns as Ajax Coach after Title Race Disappointment
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 19, 2025 0

Francesco Farioli stepped down as the head coach of Ajax on Monday, just a day after the disappointm...

READ ALSO
Guardiola Urges City to Transform FA Cup Heartbreak into Champions League Drive
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 18, 2025 0

Pep Guardiola has encouraged his Manchester City players to channel the disappointment from their un...

READ ALSO
Ofili Shatters World Record at 2025 Adidas Atlanta City Games
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 18, 2025 0

Nigerian athletes left their mark at the 2025 Adidas Atlanta City Games on Saturday, with Favour Ofi...

READ ALSO
Chelsea's Rebuilding Efforts after 1-0 Triumph against Man-U
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 17, 2025 0

Chelsea's manager Enzo Maresca, along with key club officials, responded after the Blues secured a 1...

READ ALSO
European Football: Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Eredivisie Set for Action
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 11, 2025 0

Football enthusiasts are set for a thrilling day of matches in Europe’s premier leagues today,...

READ ALSO
Xabi Alonso Steps Down as Bayer Leverkusen Manager, Set for Real Madrid Return
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 9, 2025 0

The Spanish football manager, Xabi Alonso, has stepped down as the head coach of Bayer Leverkusen, a...

READ ALSO
PSG Advances to Face Inter Milan in Final, trash Arsenal 3-1 in Semi Final
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 7, 2025 0

English football club, Arsenal, bid to reach the Champions League final ended in failure after they...

OUR CHANNELS:

FG to Sell Seized Estate of Former CBN Governor to Low-Income Nigerians
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 24, 2025 0

The Federal Government has finalized plans to sell a large estate associated with a former Governor...


Cross River Launches Distribution of 1million Coffee Seedlings to Boost Local Production
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 24, 2025 0

The Cross River State Government has initiated the distribution of one million Arabica and Robusta c...


Lagos Police Recapture Escaped Inmate Following Prison Break
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 24, 2025 0

A 39-year-old prisoner, Kabiru Oyedun, has been recaptured by the Lagos Police Command after escapin...


Nigeria's Progressing in Insecurity Fight, Night Travel Routes Restored
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 24, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has stated that recent military successes...


Agro Alliance Takes Top Honors at Hack4Livestock with IoT Solution for Cattle Intrusions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 24, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Ministry of Livestock Development has announced its intention to empower 1,000...


2027: Coalition Condemns APC's Exclusive Endorsement of Tinubu
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 24, 2025 0

The Coalition of United Political Parties criticized the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu as the...


Man Remand for Environmental Offense as Lagos Intensifies Sanitation Enforcement
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 24, 2025 0

A collaborative enforcement team, made up of officials from the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LA...


SNEPCo Urges Indigenous Firms to Enhance Skills for Future Opportunities
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 24, 2025 0

The Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) has urged Nigerian firms to st...


Adebayo Open to Coalition with Obi, Dismisses Atiku's Influence in SDP
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 24, 2025 0

The 2023 presidential candidate for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has indicate...


NNPCL Empowers 531 NYSC Members with Financial Support and Starter Packs
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 25, 2025 0

The Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited has provided financial assistance of N531,000 each to...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu