2026 WC Qualifiers:Concerns over Osimhen, Chukwueze’s fitness for Bafana Bafana clash

Finidi George (right) discusses with Victor Osimhen during a Super Eagles training session. George, who won the Champions League in 1995 with Ajax, played 62 times for Nigeria between 1991 and 2002. Photo: NFF

.Napoli striker closer to Chelsea deal

This is not the way Coach Finidi George wants to start his Super Eagles’ reign. With less than three weeks to a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier against South Africa, George has been given reports that his number one striker, Victor Osimhen, may not be fit enough to face the Bafana Bafana on June 7.

Placed third in Group C of the 2026 World Cup African qualifying series, Nigeria will meet second-placed South Africa in Uyo on June 7 and travel to Cote d’Ivoire to face Benin Republic three days later.

George has compiled the list of players he wants to use for the games with Osimhen top of the list. But news from Italy says that the Napoli striker is nursing an injury and did not join his mates in training on Monday ahead of the club’s game against Fiorentina on Friday.

According to allnigeriasoccer.com, another Super Eagles’ Italy-based star, Samuel Chukwueze has been rated as doubtful for the double-header due to an injury to the hamstring of the left thigh he suffered during the first half of AC Milan’s 5-1 win against Cagliari on Saturday.

Already, Empoli right-back, Tyronne Ebuehi, has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee back in March.

But the good news for the new coach is that Bayer Leverkusen star, Victor Boniface, and Nottingham Forest striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, are getting back to their best forms after sitting out their clubs’ games for almost two months due to injury.

Both, who