Osimhen, Chukwueze Won’t Play World Cup Qualifiers, See Possible Backups

Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro has confirmed that Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen will not be participating in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers this month.

Initially, it was looking like the Milan new signing, Chukwueze, would be fit in time for the World Cup qualifiers but that wasn’t possible as the Nigeria international remained on the bench in AC Milan’s 2-1 win over Paris Saint Germain on Tuesday, November 7.

As for Osimhen, it has been confirmed that he is still recovering from the injury he sustained during Nigeria’s friendly match against Saudi Arabia last month.

Hence, they wouldn’t be available for Nigeria’s first 2026 World Cup qualifying match scheduled for November 16 at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo against Lesotho.

Also, they wouldn’t be available for the qualification match against Zimbabwe at Huye Stadium in Butare, Rwanda on November 17.

“Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen will not be called up during the next break; we want to avoid any risks,” Peseiro told TV Play.

“I was very sorry for their injuries: the clubs pay the players, and we constantly collaborate with them.”

Possible Replacements for Osimhen and Chukwueze

For the Super Eagles’ offensive line, coach Peseiro has a plethora of options to replace unfit Chukwueze and Osimhen.

Victor Boniface, a forward for Bayer Leverkusen, is currently regarded as Nigeria’s second-most valuable player due to his incredible start to his career in Germany. He is now expected to shoulder the attacking needs of the Super Eagles in the absence of Osimhen and Chukwueze.

Other attacking options are Paul Onuachu who is playing at the top of his game at Trabzonspor in Turkey, and Ademola Lookman who has found his scoring touch at Atalanta.

Chuba Akpom of Ajax Amsterdam, Terem Moffi of OGC Nice, and Akor Adams of Montpellier are other productive attackers available for selection in place of Osimhen and Chukwueze.