- Victor Osimhen had scored four goals and provided two assists despite a hamstring injury during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
- Coach Éric Chelle had cited a demanding travel schedule and limited recovery facilities as challenges for Nigeria’s performance
- Osimhen had been managed carefully by the medical staff and played full matches against Tunisia and Algeria, showcasing resilience
Super Eagles coach Éric Chelle has revealed that Nigeria’s star striker, Victor Osimhen, played the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco while nursing a hamstring injury.
Despite the physical setback, Osimhen delivered standout performances for the Nigerian team, scoring four goals and providing two assists across six matches. His contributions earned him a place in the Confederation of African Football’s Team of the Tournament, recognising him as one of the competition’s top performers.
Chelle explained that the team’s demanding travel schedule had a significant impact on Nigeria’s performance, particularly in the semifinal against tournament hosts Morocco. “After the game against Algeria, which we played in Marrakesh, we travelled back to Fez, then from Fez we went to Rabat, and we played another match just 48 hours later,” Chelle said during an interview on RMC Sport’s After Foot.
The coach added that the absence of proper recovery facilities made it challenging for the players to maintain peak performance. “We didn’t have a cryotherapy chamber with us to recover. At this level, it’s really the small details that matter. After two training sessions, some rest after the game, and another training session before the next match, the team felt really tired,” he said.
Osimhen, who played the full 90 minutes in two of Nigeria’s matches—against Tunisia and Algeria—was closely managed by the team’s medical staff to ensure he could participate despite his hamstring tear. Chelle emphasised that the injury limited Osimhen’s capacity but praised his determination to continue contributing to the team.
Nigeria’s main attackers, including Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman, struggled to replicate earlier performances in the semifinal. Chelle noted, “If you watch the match, Akor looks really tired; he missed a lot of balls. Victor is complicated because people need to know he played in the Africa Cup of Nations while injured. He had a small tear in his hamstring, so it was necessary to take care of it.”
Osimhen led the Super Eagles in the group-stage match against Uganda and in the semifinal against Morocco. However, he did not feature in the third-place playoff against Egypt, although he was included in the official squad list for the game.
The coach’s revelation underscores the physical toll of international tournaments and highlights Osimhen’s resilience in maintaining his high-level performances despite injury.