Nigeria will travel to Bloemfontein without Victor Osimhen after the Super Eagles’ medical staff diagnosed a shin bruise and advised the striker not to join the squad for Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa. He woke up with discomfort following Saturday’s game and will not be travelling with the squad for the crucial tie.
The setback comes after Nigeria edged Rwanda 1–0 in Uyo, a result that keeps qualification hopes flickering ahead of the Group C showdown with Bafana Bafana at Free State Stadium. Substitute Tolu Arokodare provided the decisive finish early in the second half.
Osimhen picked up the injury following a challenge from a Rwandan player, just outside the Wasps’ 18-yard box.
Rwanda were kept in it by Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari, whose reflexes denied Ademola Lookman and frustrated Nigeria for long spells before Arokodare’s intervention. The 25-year-old has emerged as the Chiefs’ new No. 1 and carried that assurance into international duty.
Osimhen’s absence forces coach Éric Chelle into a recalibration of his front line, with Cyriel Dessers and Arokodare the likeliest beneficiaries of extra minutes.
The stakes are stark: South Africa tops the group, and Nigeria’s margin for error is minimal, even after the Rwanda win. Kickoff is set for Tuesday, September 9, at 18:00 local time in Bloemfontein.
For Nigeria, the performance in Uyo offered grit; in Bloemfontein, they’ll need a positive end product without their leading finisher.
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