In a concerning update for both club and country, Turkish champions Galatasaray announced on Tuesday that striker Victor Osimhen sustained a moderate ankle injury during Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying match against Rwanda on Saturday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The injury prevented Osimhen from joining the Nigerian squad for their crucial qualifying match against South Africa on Tuesday.
Following medical examinations at Galatasaray’s partner hospital, the club confirmed that Nigerian super star Osimhen has suffered stretching and bleeding in his ankle ligaments.
Yener İnce, the club’s Football A Team Doctor, provided details in the official statement saying: “In the examinations performed today at our sponsor hospital for our Football A Team player Victor Osimhen, a moderate sprain (stretching and bleeding) was detected in his ankle ligaments and the necessary treatment has been initiated in order for our football player to return to the field as soon as possible.”
While treatment has already commenced, Galatasaray has not specified a definitive timeline for Osimhen’s return. Recovery from ankle ligament injuries can vary significantly, typically ranging from two to six weeks.
This uncertainty raises concerns for the Nigerian forward as he could potentially miss several key fixtures for both Galatasaray in the Champions League and Nigeria in their remaining World Cup qualifiers.