Chelle's Confidence: Can Nigeria Thrive Without Osimhen?

Eric Chelle confident ahead of Super Eagles game against South Africa

Nigeria takes on South Africa in a crucial World Cup qualifier without star striker Victor Osimhen. Can the Super Eagles still secure a win? 

 

“Osimhen is a big star, a very good player. Like I said, I have a strong squad too, with great players...”

Nigeria coach Eric Chelle is confident that the Super Eagles can still deliver a strong performance against South Africa, despite Victor Osimhen's absence due to injury. Osimhen sustained the injury during Nigeria's 1-0 win over Rwanda and will miss the crucial World Cup qualifier. Chelle emphasized that his team remains focused and united, with no time to dwell on Osimhen's absence.

Chelle's Message to His Team:

• Confidence in Squad Depth: “Osimhen is a big star, a very good player. But I have a strong squad too, with great players on my side. They are enough for me.”

• Team Unity: “We think about our brother [Osimhen], but we have a game, and we are united for tomorrow.”

• Focus on the Task: “We don't have the time to say Victor is not here or maybe we cried in our rooms after his injury.”

The Super Eagles will face South Africa in a must-win game to boost their World Cup qualification hopes. Nigeria currently sits six points behind South Africa, and a win would put them back in contention. The team has never lost to South Africa on their home soil since their first-ever meeting in a qualifier ahead of the 1994 World Cup.

Our lineup to face South Africa 🇿🇦

🔄 3 changes from coach Chelle
©️ Troost-Ekong leads as captain
🪄 Iwobi runs the midfield
🎯 Dessers spearheads the attack

Time to get the job done, Eagles! 👊🏾#SoarSuperEagles #Naija4theWin pic.twitter.com/j7zNxIKF6E

— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) September 9, 2025

Victor Osimhen's injury has dealt a significant blow to Nigeria's World Cup qualification hopes. The Galatasaray striker was forced off in the 35th minute of Saturday's 1-0 win over Rwanda after a heavy challenge from Claude Niyomugabo. Osimhen suffered a moderate ankle sprain, according to Galatasaray's medical team, which will keep him sidelined for the crucial match against South Africa.

Injury Update:

• Type: Moderate ankle sprain (stretching and bleeding in the ligaments)
• Status: Osimhen won't play against South Africa, and his availability for future matches will depend on his recovery progress
• Replacement: Cyriel Dessers is expected to lead the line in Osimhen's absence, with Tolu Arokodare and Ademola Lookman potentially supporting him

Nigeria coach Eric Chelle remains optimistic despite Osimhen's absence, emphasizing that his squad has enough quality to overcome the challenge. “Osimhen is a big star, a very good player. Like I said, I have a strong squad too, with great players in my head, with great players on my side. They are enough players for me,“ Chelle said in a pre-match press conference. The team's focus will be on the game against South Africa, with Dessers and Arokodare potentially playing key roles.

“Osimhen is a big star, a very good player. Like I said, I have a strong squad too, with great players in my head, on my side,” Chelle said.

“They are more than players for me, for sure. I can tell you something, they want to play a great game here once again.

“I’m focused on my players, and my team. I know South Africa is a good team. They have a lot of good players, and also a good coach and technical staff.

“We know this is a big game. I’m really happy to play this game like my players. They are happy. This is a moment to do a great job.”

South Africa's football team is facing potential sanctions from FIFA due to fielding ineligible player Teboho Mokoena in their recent match against Lesotho. Mokoena had accumulated two yellow cards in previous matches against Benin and Zimbabwe, making him ineligible to play. Despite this, he started in the match against Lesotho, sparking controversy and potential penalties for South Africa.

Potential Penalties:

Points Deduction: South Africa could lose three points from their win over Lesotho, significantly impacting their World Cup qualification chances.

Match Forfeiture: The match result could be overturned to a 3-0 defeat for South Africa, regardless of the actual score.

Other Sanctions: FIFA might impose alternative penalties, such as fines, on South Africa.

Nigeria coach Eric Chelle remains focused on the upcoming match against South Africa, prioritizing the task at hand over the controversy surrounding Mokoena's eligibility. His counterpart, South Africa's Hugo Broos, hasn't publicly commented on the issue, maintaining a tactical focus ahead of the crucial World Cup qualifier.

“I’m just the coach, I lead my team, what happens around my team and around this game in terms of the yellow card (on Mokoena), there’s an organisation whose name is FIFA, they need to manage it,” continued Chelle. 

“Now, this is not my problem. My problem is my players first because they are focused. They want to play a great game here and I feel like we have to think about our game, not about what happens around the game and around the story. 

“However, the reality if I can tell you, I think FIFA needs to manage it quickly.”