{
  "id": 8206947,
  "title": "Why Chelle picked injured Osimhen for Super Eagles’ AFCON qualifiers, Russia friendly",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/why-chelle-picked-injured-osimhen-for-super-eagles-afcon-qualifiers",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-18T08:09:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/18/why-chelle-picked-injured-osimhen-for-super-eagles-afcon-qualifiers-russia-friendly/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle included injured striker Victor Osimhen in the squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifiers, despite the player being out since September 4 with a right groin injury. This decision has raised questions about Osimhen's availability for Nigeria's upcoming matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. Osimhen had been expected to return for a friendly against Galatasaray, but as of Thursday, he remained training separately from the main group. The inclusion of the sidelined striker leaves no competitive appearance since his injury, leaving Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams, and George Ilenikhena as the primary options as first-choice forwards.",
  "summary": "The head coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelles, sprang a big surprise when he included the injured Victor Osimhen in his squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifiers. Osimhen has been out of action since September 4, when he suffered an injury to his right groin. It led to doubts about […] Why Chelle picked injured Osimhen for Super Eagles’ AFCON qualifiers, Russia friendly",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}