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Super Eagles caretaker coach Austin Eguavoen has opened up on Victor Osimhen's absence from the squad ahead of the AFCON2025 double-header against Libya.
Victor Osimhen was left out of the Eguavoen's Super Eagles squad for this month's AFCON2025 qualifiers after picking up a muscle injury while playing for Turkish giants Galatasaray.
The 25-year-old is expected to be sidelined till next month, keeping him out of the double-header against Libya and a number of games for Galatasaray.
Eguavoen will now have to count on the likes of Bayer Leverkusen's Victor Boniface, Nottingham Forest's Taiwo Awoniyi, and Sevilla's Kelechi Iheanacho to provide the firepower against Libya.
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The caretaker boss believes that while the 25-year-old will be a big miss, there is still enough quality in the team to make up for it.
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Eguavoen admits Osimhen will be a huge miss
Speaking to NFF TV, Eguavoen said:
“It’s a collective effort, it’s a team sport, not an individual sport.
We are in touch, he’s a huge miss, we all know how important and impactful Osimhen can be, but we have other players who can step into his shoes.
“He’s not here physically but I am one hundred percent sure he’s here spiritually with us.”
Osimhen picked up the injury in Galatasaray's league game against Kasimpasa, after scoring a brace in the first half to open his account for the Turkish side. He was also on target during the last internationals, scoring the second goal in a crucial 3-0 win over Benin in Uyo.
As far as replacements, Boniface, who is in excellent form for his club side Bayer Leverkusen, is expected to lead the line for Eguavoen's men.
The Super Eagles started their AFCON qualifiers campaign on a high note defeating the Benin Republic before playing out a goalless draw against Rwanda.
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