Eric Chelle Speaks About Victor Osimhen’s Absence for South Africa Clash: “We Are Together”
- Victor Osimhen did not travel with the Super Eagles squad to face South Africa in Bloemfontein on Tuesday
- Osimhen was passed medically unfit and withdrew after suffering an injury during the 1-0 win over Rwanda
- Eric Chelle has spoken about the striker's absence, and the team wraps up their preparation for the match
Super Eagles boss Eric Chelle has spoken about Victor Osimhen's absence during his pre-match conference ahead of facing South Africa.
Nigeria will face Bafana Bafana in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match and will do so without their best striker, Victor Osimhen.
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The Galatasaray forward limped off in the 31st minute of Nigeria's 1-0 win over Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Osimhen did not fly with the team on Sunday morning and will return to Turkey where Galatasaray doctors will assess him when the swelling subsides.
According to The Standard, he woke up on Sunday morning in pain and was diagnosed with shin bruise, necessitating the decision to drop him.
Eric Chelle speaks about Osimhen’s absence
Eric Chelle and Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong faced a press conference on Monday evening before the team trained at the Free State Stadium.
The Franco-Malian manager spoke about his team's readiness and how they plan to approach the match despite the absence of their star forward.
“Osimhen is a big star, a very good player. Like I said, I have a very big group too; I have some big players in my head, with great players on my side. They are enough players for me for sure," Chelle told reporters at the pre-match press conference, as quoted by ANS.
“I will tell you something, they want to play a great game here once again, so we don’t have the time to say Victor is not here, or maybe we cried in our rooms after his injury.”
“We are together. We think about our brother, but we have a game, and we are united for tomorrow,” he concluded.
Panathinaikos striker Cyriel Dessers replaced Osimhen after he went off injured, but there was no breakthrough until Tolu Arokodare joined him in attack.
Many believe Chelle will go with a two-striker attack against South Africa, with Dessers and the new Wolverhampton Wanderers star pressing the opposition centre-back.
Reigning African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman is expected to slot in behind the two forwards, a position he has played many times under Chelle.
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Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi are guaranteed starters in midfield, but the manager is likely to drop Frank Onyeka, who struggled against Rwanda.
Youngster Benjamin Fredrick is expected to keep his place alongside Calvin Bassey in the heart of the defence, while Ekong will settle for a place on the bench again.
Chelle speaks about South Africa's possible punishment
Legit.ng reported that Eric Chelle spoke about South Africa's possible three-point deduction after fielding Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho in March.
The former RC Lens defender refused to be drawn into administrative issues and will rather focus on how his team will beat South Africa.
Source: Legit.ng
