The head coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, is said to have rejected Victor Osimhen’s plea to remain on the pitch during Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff clash with DR Congo on Sunday.
This revelation was made by FlashScore editor, Shina Oludare, who shared details from a private conversation with a member of the national team’s backroom staff. According to him, Osimhen was determined to continue despite feeling discomfort from a minor hamstring issue.
The Nigerian forward, who currently plays for Galatasaray, was eventually substituted for Akor Adams when the match was tied at 1-1 — a decision reportedly taken to prevent a more serious injury, especially with the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) drawing near.
Oludare wrote on X:
“Had breakfast with a member of the Super Eagles technical crew this morning.
“He told me Osimhen was begging to play in the second half despite the injury, but they turned him down to avoid aggravating it with AFCON around the corner.
“Yet some of you still come online to tweet pure jargon.”
The update adds another layer to the ongoing discussions around the team’s fitness concerns and tactical decisions as Nigeria continues its push for a World Cup spot.
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