Super Eagles Injury Update: Osimhen, Chukwueze Join List of Injured Players

• Nigeria's World Cup qualifiers preparation is disrupted by injuries
• Victor Osimhen joins the list of stars uncertain about fitness
• The Super Eagles will confront South Africa and Benin in June

Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and the Benin Republic next month have been hampered by injuries to key players.

So far, Super Eagles stars, Zaidu Sanusi, and, Moses Simon, have been ruled out of the ties completely after suffering long-term injuries and will not recover in time for both games.

According to All Nigeria Soccer, Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, and AC Milan winger, Samuel Chukwueze, are the latest injury concerns for Nigeria ahead of the squad announcement.

Osimhen did not participate in Napoli’s full training with the rest of his teammates on Monday while Chukwueze picked up an injury to the hamstring of the left thigh he suffered during the first half of AC Milan's 5-1 win against Cagliari.

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Other players who are also doubtful for the games against South Africa and Benin include Empoli right-back Tyronne Ebuehi and Boavista fullback Bruno Onyemaechi.

Finidi charged to select the best

Meanwhile, Victor Ikpeba has challenged Super Eagles coach Finidi George to get the most out of his players ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifier against South Africa next month, Complete Sports reports.

Nigeria, who are third in Group C with two points from their opening two games, will host South Africa and the Benin Republic in two must-win ties to revive their hopes of securing qualification.

The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2022 edition and Finidi has been tasked by the Nigeria Football Federation with ensuring Nigeria qualifies for the next World Cup.

Finidi prepares final Super Eagles list

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that William Troost-Ekong and Victor Boniface could make their anticipated returns to the Super Eagles as both stars are reportedly in Finidi’s provisional list for the World Cup qualifiers.

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The POAK defender and Bayer Leverkusen forward have not featured for Nigeria’s senior men's team in several months due to varying degrees of injuries.

Troost-Ekong has been out of action since February after undergoing surgery to repair a thigh injury while Boniface’s last appearance for the Super Eagles was in November 2023.