Victor Osimhen will play no part in Nigeria's first two 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures after the striker's recovery from a right adductor muscle strain fell behind schedule, according to Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe.

Osimhen had initially been named in the Super Eagles squad for the international window, with both Galatasaray and Nigeria's technical staff hopeful he would recover in time. That optimism faded on September 19, when the striker was absent from Galatasaray's Süper Lig fixture against Trabzonspor — a match widely regarded by club and national team officials as a key fitness test.

"Victor Osimhen's recovery from a muscle strain has been slower than expected," Efoghe wrote in his report. "He was included in Nigeria's squad for the AFCON qualifiers because Galatasaray and Super Eagles technical crew were hopeful he would be fit for the Süper Lig game versus Trabzonspor and ready for the international window. But his absence from tonight's match confirms Galatasaray's correspondence to Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle that the striker is still recovering and will not be ready for Nigeria's matches."

Nigeria are scheduled to face Madagascar on September 25 before travelling to take on Guinea-Bissau on September 29. Osimhen's unavailability is a significant blow for Eric Chelle's side, who must now rely on other attacking options across both fixtures.

Despite the setback, Osimhen has made a strong start to the club season. The striker has featured in four Süper Lig matches for Galatasaray, registering six goals and two assists.