Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan has launched a scathing attack on Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, accusing the Galatasaray star of feigning injury to avoid national team duty in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Osimhen was substituted during Nigeria’s clash against Rwanda after sustaining an ankle injury from a tackle.
Gyan, however, believes the Super Eagles forward was deliberately protecting himself ahead of club commitments.
“I know these tricks. Someone told Osimhen: Look, we spent a lot of money on you. The Champions League is coming up, and we’re not thrilled about you flying off to Africa for this international break. But go, play a little, lie down on the pitch, and pretend it’s serious. The next day you’ll already be back in Turkey. It’s just to avoid media noise,” Gyan told Dailysports.net.
“Trust me, you’ll see him fresh and running at full speed in the Turkish league and the Champions League. No matter how many times he gets hit there, he won’t be lying on the ground. The doctors are in on it too. Euro is worth more than naira,” he added.
Osimhen consequently missed out on Nigeria’s must-win clash against South Africa.
His absence proved costly, as Nigeria failed to secure a vital win, drawing 1-1 against South Africa.
The result leaves the Super Eagles in a precarious position, sitting second in Group standings with 11 points — six points behind leaders South Africa — with only two games left to play.
Nigeria now face the real prospect of missing out on the 2026 World Cup, set to be staged in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
