Victor Osimhen again did not start for the Super Eagles against Rwanda in Kigali and caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen said this was so because there were concerns over the striker’s match fitness following a long-drawn transfer saga involving his club Napoli.
Osimhen started from the bench in both 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda.
Eguavoen said Osimhen has not played an official game in many months and so he is not fit enough to start for the Super Eagles.
“Osimhen is our brother, you can’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. We know what he is going through in Napoli. He just moved to Galatasaray and has not been playing active football for a while now,” Eguavoen explained his post-match press conference.
“We are trying to manage his fitness. He played the last 25 minutes in the previous game, and we had a word with him that he can’t play 90 minutes (vs Rwanda) or else he will get injured.”
He said it was also fitness concerns that limited the game time of Nottingham striker Taiwo Awoniyi,
“Awoniyi had a few minutes at his club before joining us,” Eguavoen said.
“We have 23 to 40 players to choose from, but only 11 can start. It’s frustrating, but the bonding is there, and everyone is on board.”
By Aboluwade God’s Treasure AGT
Super Eagles call-up Anthony Dennis targets wins over Rwanda, ZimbabweSuper Eagles call-up Anthony Dennis has expressed confidence the team to fly past both Rwanda and Zimbabwe to get their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign back on track. The Goztepe midfield star was named on the Super Eagles provisional squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, but he did not make the ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶ Atalanta raise asking price for Ademola LookmanItalian Serie A club Atalanta may have agreed in principle for Ademola Lookman to leave this summer even with two years left on his contract, but they also want to make the most from this departure financially. Atalanta initial asking price for the Super Eagles forward was 50 Million Euros, but now they want as ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶ Super Eagles Final Squad: Ahmed Musa, Iheanacho outCoach Eric Chelle has left out Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho from the Super Eagles final squad for must-win 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The inclusion of both players on the 39-man provisional squad was widely criticized. Ahmed Musa was last involved with the national team at last year’s delayed 2023 AFCON. ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶ Osimhen new salary demand shocks GalatasarayAccording to reports out of Turkey today, Galatasaray have been left shell shocked by what Victor Osimhen wants to be paid should they stage a major transfer coup and make his loan deal a permanent one in the summer. According to Turkiye Gazetesi, Osimhen has asked Galatasaray to pay him 15 Million Euros- a-year, which ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶ Youngster Udoh closes in on Premier League debutExciting young winger Victor Udoh is on course to make his Premier League debut with Southampton after he shone with the reserves. SCORENigeria learnt that the former Golden Eaglets star, who switched from Belgian club Antwerp in January, could make the matchday squad for Saturday’s Premier League home clash against Wolves. Udoh, 21, moved to ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶ 
