Osimhen has knee surgery and will miss Nigeria's Tanzania double
Victor Osimhen had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in Istanbul on Saturday. Galatasaray have given no return date, and Nigeria must face Tanzania twice without him in the race for AFCON 2027.
Ballon Viral · Published
Bad news for Galatasaray, and worse for Nigeria. Victor Osimhen underwent surgery in Istanbul on Saturday 7 November. The Turkish champions said the arthroscopic procedure on his left knee was a success, but gave no return date. The immediate consequence is clear: the Super Eagles striker will miss both 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania, at a time when Nigeria are already under pressure in their group.
The injury came against Stuttgart
It all started in last Tuesday's Champions League game. On 3 November, Galatasaray beat Stuttgart 2-0 in Istanbul on matchday four of the league phase. Aleksey Batrakov settled it in three minutes with goals in the 12th and 15th minutes. Osimhen played the full 90. According to Türkiye Today, he had six attempts, more than anyone else on the pitch, but could not find the net.
That was the night he hurt his left knee. The club later explained that scans, including an MRI, showed a loose body inside the joint, a small free fragment that restricts movement. The fix was arthroscopic surgery, a minimally invasive operation carried out through small incisions.
On Friday, Galatasaray left the striker out of the squad for Saturday's Süper Lig home game against Amedspor. The next day, club doctor Yener İnce led the operation at Maslak Acıbadem Hospital.
How long will he be out
The club statement is cautious. Osimhen's condition will be assessed daily and his rehabilitation will be handled by the club's medical team. No timeline was given.
The Turkish press has already floated one. Fotomac reports that he will also miss the trip to Samsunspor after the international break, with the aim of having him ready for the Champions League game against Aston Villa on 24 November. That is a media report, not an official update. A simple arthroscopy often means a few weeks out, but everything will depend on how the knee responds.
In the meantime, Galatasaray need another option up front. Rotowire names young striker Deniz Gül as the player most likely to benefit. The Istanbul club made Osimhen the most expensive signing in Turkish football history when they paid Napoli 75 million euros, and he remains the focal point of their attack.
Nigeria lose their main striker at the worst time
For Nigeria coach Éric Chelle, this is a heavy blow. The Super Eagles host Tanzania on Friday 13 November at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, then travel to Dar es Salaam for the return game four days later. Players are expected in camp in Uyo from Monday 9 November.
The context makes his absence hurt even more. In Group L, Nigeria beat Madagascar 2-1 on matchday one, then collapsed 3-0 in Guinea-Bissau. Franculino, Mama Baldé and Álvaro Djaló scored that night against a Nigeria side that was already without Osimhen.
