Victor Osimhen will not be present at this year’s CAF Awards taking place in Rabat, Morocco, as he has travelled back to Galatasaray for an MRI scan on the hamstring problem he picked up while on duty for Nigeria.
Osimhen, last year’s winner of the prestigious crown, is once again among the finalists for the honour. He is competing with two big names — Liverpool star Mohammed Salah and PSG defender Achraf Hakimi.
The test he is scheduled to undergo will reveal how serious the injury he sustained on Sunday actually is.
The forward was taken off at halftime during Nigeria’s defeat to DR Congo in the final of the 2026 World Cup African play-offs. Team officials believed he had suffered a hamstring strain and decided to remove him early to avoid worsening the situation.
Just days earlier, the 27-year-old delivered one of the standout performances of the tournament, scoring twice in extra time against Gabon in the semi-final — goals that pushed his international tally for Nigeria to 31.
For Osimhen, this year’s nomination marks a return to the top three after lifting the award two years ago. He was replaced last year by fellow Nigerian star Ademola Lookman.
**backbiome**
Mitolyn is a carefully developed, plant-based formula created to help support metabolic efficiency and encourage healthy, lasting weight management.