Victor Osimhen: Napoli striker ruled out of Ghana vs Nigeria friendly

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen will be absent from the Super Eagles’ forthcoming international friendly against Ghana due to an injury.

The Napoli forward, who is the reigning CAF Footballer of the Year, is currently suffering from an inflammation of a scar from a previous injury.

Osimhen missed his club’s training sessions last week and was an unused substitute during their 1-1 draw with Inter Milan in Serie A on Sunday.

According to Punch NG, he has since been ruled out of the March international break and will miss Nigeria’s matches against Ghana and Mali.

The Super Eagles will face the Black Stars on March 22 in Marrakesh, Morocco, before taking on the Cranes four days later at the same venue.

Meanwhile, Ghana will also miss one of their key players in Mohammed Kudus, who currently nursing an injury.

The West Ham United star was initially part of Otto Addo’s squad for the upcoming assignments but is now set to miss both friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda.

Kudus is said to have suffered a shoulder discomfort during the Hammers’ 1-1 draw with Aston Villa last Sunday despite playing the full 90 minutes.

The former Nordsjaelland midfielder is, therefore, expected to stay back in London to recuperate from the shoulder injury.

Kudus’ absence will be a big miss for Otto Addo, who was announced as the Black Stars’ head coach on a three-year deal over the weekend.

The 23-year-old has been in imperious form for David Moyes’ side this season, having scored 11 goals and provided four assists, including a brace against Freiburg in the Europa League in midweek.

The Black Stars will use the two friendlies as warm-up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which will return in June.

Ghana is already missing the services of Inaki Williams, Thomas Partey and Joseph Paintsil, all of whom were left out of the squad due to either injury recovery or immigration issues.