AFCON 2025 Knockouts: Osimhen Absent as Nigeria Train Behind Closed Doors

Victor Osimhen was one of three Super Eagles players missing from training on Thursday as Nigeria prepared for their AFCON 2025 Round of 16 meeting with Mozambique. Head coach Éric Chelle ordered the session to be held behind closed doors in Fes, signalling a to reduce distractions before the knockout stage.

Along with Osimhen, Cyriel Dessers and Ryan Alebiosu were absent. Dessers and Alebiosu are dealing with injuries, while Osimhen is believed to be resting as part of a workload plan, with no injury reported by team doctors.

Osimhen has been key to Nigeria’s group run, scoring against Tunisia and captaining the team versus Uganda. He has started all three matches, alongside Calvin Bassey.

Dessers, nursing a thigh problem, is yet to feature, but Nigeria have found goals through Akor Adams and Paul Onuachu. Alebiosu, who impressed on debut, is recovering from a leg injury and may return later.

Both are expected to miss Monday’s match as Chelle focuses on a quarter-final place.