2026 WCQ: Super Eagles coach replaces Victor Osimhen with NPFL star

Super Eagles ace Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of contention for the upcoming World Cup qualifier clashes; Finidi George opted for an unlikely player as his replacement in the camp. 

The Super Eagles official handles announced that star striker Victor Osimhen has picked up an injury which will rule him out for at least four weeks.

The former Lille man carried a niggle in the final days of the season and could only manage a substitute appearance in Napoli's last match of the campaign against Lecce. He has now been ruled out of action for at least a month and will be unavailable for Nigeria's matches against South Africa and Benin Republic. 

Instead of replacing him with another striker, coach Finidi George opted for a left-back from the Nigeria Premier Football League, Enugu Rangers’ Kenneth Igboke.  

Finidi’s original squad list was devoid of a natural left-back, a decision that raised eyebrows. The former Enyimba manager has now taken advantage of Osimhen's injury to plug the left-back-shaped hole in the Super Eagles squad. 

Kenneth, 23, has played 20 games for the NPFL league leaders, the Enugu Rangers, this season. According to TransferMarkt, he has scored two goals and provided one assist. 

Nigeria play the Bafana Bafana on June 3rd and the Benin Republic on June 7th in their bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.