Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen smiling broadly with his signature blonde dyed hair while wearing a red and yellow Galatasaray jersey
Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen would sit out of the 2027 AFCON 


Nigeria begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25. 

The Super Eagles will be without talismanic striker Victor Osimhen, who was ruled out after failing to recover from a muscle strain in his groin . The Galatasaray forward, who has scored 35 goals in 51 caps for his country, has been replaced in the squad by Coventry City's Taiwo Awoniyi.

Madagascar head coach Corentin Martins acknowledged Osimhen's absence but urged his side are prepared to face a dangerous opponent regardless. "We know Nigeria have a good team, with players playing in big leagues around the world. But we are not afraid," Martins said at the pre-match press conference. 

The Barea famously defeated Nigeria 2-0 at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, their only win in five previous meetings between the two nations.