Galatasaray have confirmed that Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, suffered an ankle sprain while on international duty for the Super Eagles during Saturday’s 1-0 win over Rwanda in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Osimhen was forced off midway through the first half in Uyo after a challenge from Claude Niyomugabo, ruling him out of Nigeria’s next crucial fixture against South Africa in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.

Initial assessments by the Super Eagles medical team indicated that the forward sustained a bruise on his shin. “Team doctor confirmed Victor Osimhen’s injury is a bruise on his shin. He woke up this morning (Sunday) with discomfort and will not be travelling with the squad to South Africa for Tuesday’s game,” Super Eagles Media Officer, Promise Efoghe, explained.

The striker has since returned to Turkey where further tests were conducted by Galatasaray. In a statement on the club’s website, team doctor Dr Yener Slim confirmed:
“In the examinations conducted today (Tuesday) on our football A team player Victor Osimhen in our hospital, a moderate level of sprain (tension and bleeding) was detected in the ankle ligaments and the necessary treatment was started to return to the field as soon as possible.”

On Saturday, Osimhen was replaced by Cyriel Dessers, though the Belgium-born forward failed to make much impact. It was second-half substitute Tolu Arokodare who secured the win with a 51st-minute strike to keep Nigeria’s qualification hopes alive.

It remains uncertain if Osimhen will recover in time for Galatasaray’s upcoming league game against Eyüpspor on Saturday.

After an impressive loan spell last season, the Nigerian joined Galatasaray permanently from Napoli this summer in a €75m deal and has already scored twice in three league appearances, with his team sitting top of the table on 12 points.