Osimhen’s Successful Surgery: Boost for Galatasaray, Setback for Super Eagles

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has successfully undergone surgery on his left knee, with reports suggesting he could return to action later this month.

The Galatasaray forward had the operation on Saturday, November 7, at Maslak Acıbadem Hospital in Istanbul. The procedure was performed by the club’s doctor, Yener İnce, after an MRI scan revealed a loose fragment in his knee.
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‎Osimhen sustained the injury during Galatasaray’s 2-0 Champions League victory over VfB Stuttgart on November 3.
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‎The 27-year-old is expected to miss Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Tanzania on November 13 and 17, as well as Galatasaray’s league fixture against Samsunspor on November 15.
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‎However, Turkish media reports have identified November 24, when Galatasaray face Aston Villa in the Champions League, as a possible return date.
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‎The reported three-week recovery timeline has not been officially confirmed by Galatasaray, and Osimhen’s availability for the Aston Villa fixture remains uncertain pending his rehabilitation and medical assessment.
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‎His absence comes at a difficult time for the Super Eagles, who are under pressure to revive their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
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‎Nigeria currently sit second in Group L with three points, three behind leaders Guinea-Bissau, following a 2-1 victory over Madagascar and a disappointing 3-0 defeat away to Guinea-Bissau.
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‎The situation is particularly delicate because Tanzania, one of the co-hosts of the 2027 tournament, have already secured automatic qualification.
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‎This means only the highest-placed team among the remaining three nations in Group L will join Tanzania at the tournament, leaving Nigeria with no guaranteed qualification safety net for finishing second.
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‎The Super Eagles face Tanzania twice in November, and maximum points from the double-header would be important in keeping their qualification hopes on track ahead of their remaining fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in March 2027.
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‎Osimhen’s absence therefore represents another challenge for Eric Chelle, who will have to find a way to secure crucial results without one of Nigeria’s most influential attacking players.