Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen will undergo knee surgery on Saturday after suffering an injury during his side’s UEFA Champions League victory against VfB Stuttgart, sidelining him for Nigeria’s upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying double-header against Tanzania.

​The 27-year-old forward sustained the injury during Galatasaray's 2-0 win over the German club on Tuesday, despite remaining on the pitch for the full 90 minutes. Subsequent MRI scans revealed a loose body in his left knee, leading Galatasaray's medical team to schedule an immediate procedure.

​Galatasaray confirmed the situation in an official statement on Friday, confirming that Osimhen will also miss their upcoming league fixture against Amed SK.

​"In the UEFA Champions League match against VfB Stuttgart, our player Victor Osimhen sustained a strain in his left knee, and MRI examinations detected a loose body," the club announced.

​The news comes as a major blow to the Super Eagles ahead of their crucial back-to-back AFCON qualifiers on November 13 and 17. Nigeria’s technical staff will now need to evaluate alternative attacking options as they prepare to navigate the key fixtures without their talismanic striker, hoping for a swift and complete recovery.