Galatasaray’s striker Victor Osimhen has been named to the Nigeria national team after missing last month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Libya.
The striker, who is on loan from Napoli is fully healed from the injury that kept him out and is part of the 23-man squad to play against Benin and Rwanda.
The Super Eagles will face the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Stade Felix-Houphouet-Boigny on November 14. They will then return home to Uyo for the final qualifying match against Rwanda’s Amavubi at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on November 18.
Having awarded three points and three goals against Libya, a win or draw against the Benin Republic in Abidjan on November 14 will secure Nigeria a spot in the finals, set for December 2025 to January 2026 in Morocco.
Ademola Lookman, who was nominated for the Ballon d’Or, is also on the squad. He is a strong contender to follow Osimhen in winning the CAF Men’s African Player of the Year award.
While Osimhen’s return is good news, defender Semi Ajayi will not play because he is out for four months with a serious muscle injury that requires surgery. West Bromwich Albion manager Carlos Corberan confirmed this. Gabriel Osho, a defender from Auxerre, will take his place.
Osho, who was first called up in March but missed the squad due to injury, was born in Reading.
Real Sociedad’s Sadiq Umar is also returning to the national team. He improved his form this season after recovering from an ACL injury.
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