Victor Osimhen will not be present at this year’s CAF Awards ceremony in Rabat, Morocco, as he has returned to Turkey for a scheduled MRI scan following the hamstring injury he sustained while on international duty with Nigeria.
Osimhen, who claimed the prestigious award in 2023, is shortlisted again this year alongside Egypt’s Mohammed Salah and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi. His absence comes as medical staff at Galatasaray prepare to determine the severity of the injury he picked up during Sunday’s 2026 World Cup African play-off final against DR Congo.
The striker was taken off at halftime in the match after experiencing discomfort, with the decision made to avoid worsening the suspected hamstring issue. Before the setback, Osimhen had been instrumental for Nigeria during the tournament, scoring a decisive extra-time brace in the semi-final victory over Gabon, bringing his national team tally to 31 goals.
This would have marked Osimhen’s return to the CAF Awards podium two years after his win, a title that was subsequently taken by fellow Nigerian Ademola Lookman.
