Encouraging News for Eric Chelle

Newly appointed Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has received a boost regarding star striker Victor Osimhen’s fitness ahead of his first squad announcement.

Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, was forced off in the closing minutes of Monday’s highly anticipated Intercontinental Derby against Fenerbahçe. The match ended in a goalless draw, and he was replaced in the 89th minute by Kaan Ayhan, sparking concerns over a potential injury setback.

Medical Tests Rule Out Major Injury

Initial fears suggested that the former African Footballer of the Year had suffered a serious injury, but reports from Turkish media outlet habersarikirmizi.com have confirmed otherwise. An MRI scan conducted by Galatasaray’s medical team revealed that Osimhen is in good condition and has not sustained a major injury.

This update will be a relief for both club and country, as the 26-year-old remains a key figure for the Super Eagles ahead of their upcoming international fixtures.

Osimhen Absent from Training Amid Cup Match Uncertainty

Despite the positive medical reports, Osimhen was noticeably absent from training images shared by Galatasaray on their official website and social media platforms on Tuesday, February 25.

The Turkish giants have begun preparations for their Ziraat Turkish Cup clash against Tümosan Konyaspor, with training sessions taking place at Florya Metin Oktay Facilities. However, it remains uncertain whether Osimhen will be included in Thursday’s squad or given time to recover.

Notably, the striker has yet to feature for Galatasaray in the Turkish Cup, having missed previous rounds against Basaksehir and Boluspor.

Key Player for Club and Country

Osimhen’s fitness will be closely monitored as he remains a crucial player for both Galatasaray’s league and cup ambitions, as well as Nigeria’s plans under Chelle. With the Super Eagles’ World Cup qualifiers approaching, his availability could significantly impact the team’s attacking options.