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By Oscar Okhifo
Former Ghana captain, Asamoah Gyan, has sparked controversy after alleging that Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen may have faked the injury that ruled him out of the Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup qualifier against South Africa.
Osimhen picked up an ankle knock in Nigeria’s 1-0 win over Rwanda last week, forcing him to miss the crunch clash against South Africa in Bloemfontein, which ended 1-1 and left Nigeria’s qualification hopes hanging in the balance.
But Gyan, Africa’s all-time top scorer at the FIFA World Cup, suggested that the Galatasaray forward’s injury might have been a ploy to return early to his club ahead of their Champions League engagements.
“I know these tricks. They probably told Osimhen: the Champions League is coming up, we’ve made a massive investment in you. Go to Nigeria, play a bit, then fake an injury and come back quickly to Turkey,” Gyan was quoted as saying.
He further alleged that such arrangements are often premeditated, involving medical staff and the clubs, with players asked to prioritise their employers over national teams.
However, Galatasaray released a statement confirming that Osimhen sustained a moderate sprain to his ankle ligaments and had already commenced treatment.
Nigerian team doctors also described the injury as minor but serious enough to rule him out of the South Africa clash.
The Nigerian Football Federation and Osimhen himself are yet to react to Gyan’s comments, which have divided opinions among fans and football observers across the continent.