Turkish giants Galatasaray have confirmed that Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen sustained a muscle injury during Sunday night's 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff clash against DR Congo.

The forward, who started the match, was substituted at the beginning of the second half after appearing to clutch his hamstring late in the first half.

Nigeria eventually lost 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regular time, missing out on back-to-back World Cup tournaments for the first time since their debut in 1994.

Osimhen returned to Istanbul after the game and underwent an MRI scan at the Acıbadem Hospital to assess the damage.

In an official statement released on Wednesday morning, Galatasaray revealed that the test results showed a moderate strain with bleeding in the left posterior muscle.

The club has begun treatment immediately but did not provide a timeline for his recovery.

The 26-year-old's injury comes as a major setback for Galatasaray, with the striker in strong form this season, scoring nine goals in 12 appearances across all competitions.

He is also expected to miss the upcoming CAF Awards ceremony, where he is shortlisted for the prestigious Player of the Year accolade alongside Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi.

Adeyemi Adewale 

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