Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, is doubtful for Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifying games against Lesotho and Zimbabwe in November, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Osimhen limped off in the 56th minute during Nigeria’s 2-2 draw against Saudi Arabia last Friday and has since returned to Naples where further tests carried out confirmed that he suffered a medium-grade lesion of the biceps femoris on his right thigh.

According to Napoli, the 24-year-old has started treatment at the SSCN Konami Training Centre. It is expected that Osimhen will be ruled out for at least three of Napoli’s next matches.

However, Sky Sport Italia reveals that the usual recovery time for this sort of injury is typically around four to six weeks putting his availability in doubt when the three-time African champions host Lesotho’s Crocodiles at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo on November 17th before travelling away to play Zimbabwe four days later.

The 2022-23 Serie A Capocannoniere is expected to miss Napoli’s upcoming matches against Hellas Verona in Serie A, a Champions League trip to Union Berlin, as well as the visit from Milan the following weekend.

Osimhen has forged a reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting strikers after scoring 26 goals in 32 league games last season as Napoli secured their first Serie A title since 1990.

That fine form — which has continued into this season with six goals from 11 games — has led Napoli to price Osimhen in the region of £120m.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have added Napoli forward Victor Osimhen to their list of possible January targets.

The player’s contract expires in June 2025 and any sustained refusal to sign a new deal will give interested clubs fresh hope he can be prised away from Napoli in January. (The PUNCH)

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