{"id":28466,"date":"2025-09-11T12:00:52","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T10:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=28466"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:52:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T07:52:16","slug":"victor-osimhen-slammed-for-faking-injury-before-bafana-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/victor-osimhen-slammed-for-faking-injury-before-bafana-clash\/","title":{"rendered":"Victor Osimhen Slammed for \u2018Faking Injury\u2019 Before Bafana Clash"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Nigerian superstar Victor Osimhen has come under scrutiny. This is after missing the crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bafana Bafana, with claims that his injury is fake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 26-year-old forward was forced off during Nigeria\u2019s 1-0 victory over Rwanda last weekend, reportedly suffering a bruised shin. Although he initially tried to play on, he was eventually substituted and later ruled out of the clash against South Africa in Bloemfontein. The Nigerian medical team allowed him to leave the camp to undergo further assessment with his new club, Galatasaray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-gyan-questions-severity-of-injury\">Gyan Questions Severity of Injury<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Former Ghanaian captain and record goalscorer Asamoah Gyan has questioned whether Osimhen\u2019s injury was genuine. Speaking to Turkish outlet Habersarikirmizi, Gyan suggested the striker\u2019s absence was a tactical move. He said the move was designed to protect him ahead of Galatasaray\u2019s upcoming UEFA Champions League campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cI know these tricks,\u201d Gyan said. \u201cSomeone probably told Osimhen, \u2018Look, we spent a lot of money on you. The Champions League is coming up. Play a bit for your country, get injured, and the next day you\u2019ll be back in T\u00fcrkiye.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Gyan\u2019s comments have sparked debate across social media. Some fans are accusing the striker of putting club commitments ahead of national duty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83d\udea8Asamoah Gyan has accused Nigeria\u2019s Victor Osimhen of faking injury to skip the 2026 World Cup qualifier against South Africa, per Pulse Ghana.<br><br>\u201cI know these tricks. Someone told Osimhen, \u2018We spent a lot on you. The Champions League is coming. Play a bit, then get injured and\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/IEbCBvBAQ1\">pic.twitter.com\/IEbCBvBAQ1<\/a><\/p>&mdash; SoccerBeat (@SoccerBeatZA) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SoccerBeatZA\/status\/1965886812921987118?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">September 10, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-3494546710\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-record-breaking-transfer-adds-pressure\">Record-Breaking Transfer Adds Pressure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Osimhen\u2019s situation has been under intense media spotlight since his record \u20ac75 million (R1.5 billion) move to Turkish champions Galatasaray earlier this year. This was the most expensive signing in Super Lig history. Reports indicate that Galatasaray\u2019s medical team diagnosed him with a moderate ankle ligament sprain and have already started treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While this confirms he has a legitimate injury, Gyan\u2019s remarks have added fuel to speculation that Galatasaray might have pressured the player to prioritise his club over Nigeria\u2019s World Cup campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Also read:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/bafana-bafanas-world-cup-dream-still-alive\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bafana Bafana\u2019s World Cup Dream Still Alive After 1-1 Draw with Nigeria<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-super-eagles-miss-their-star-man\">Super Eagles Miss Their Star Man<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Without Osimhen leading the line, the Super Eagles struggled in front of goal and were held to a 1-1 draw by Bafana Bafana at Toyota Stadium. The result leaves Nigeria\u2019s qualification hopes in a precarious position, with every remaining fixture now crucial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) also criticised stand-in striker Cyriel Dessers for failing to make an impact against South Africa, saying his lack of pace and finishing hurt the team\u2019s attacking threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Victor  Osimhen\u2019s injury, is painful to watch <br><br> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/q8VbzgW6bu\">pic.twitter.com\/q8VbzgW6bu<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Cosmos ChukwuEmeka (@Mrcosmos13) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Mrcosmos13\/status\/1965003464028856403?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">September 8, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Also read:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/five-bafana-bafana-players-who-could-seal-world-cup-dream\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Five Bafana Bafana players who could seal World Cup dream<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-1577174432\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-club-vs-country-debate-rages-on\">Club vs Country Debate Rages On<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Osimhen\u2019s absence has reignited the long-standing club vs country debate, particularly with European teams often reluctant to release their African stars for international duty. Fans and pundits remain divided; some believe <a href=\"https:\/\/www.soccerladuma.co.za\/international\/african-football\/gyan-accuses-osimhen-of-faking-injury-before-bafana-wc-qualifier\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Osimhen<\/a> had every right to return to his club for treatment, while others see Gyan\u2019s claims as proof that player loyalty is shifting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the Super Eagles look to rescue their World Cup qualifying campaign, all eyes will be on whether Osimhen returns for Nigeria\u2019s next round of fixtures. His availability could determine whether the three-time African champions make it to the 2026 showpiece.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nigerian superstar Victor Osimhen has come under scrutiny. This is after missing the crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bafana Bafana, with claims that his injury is fake. The 26-year-old forward was forced off during Nigeria\u2019s 1-0 victory over Rwanda last weekend, reportedly suffering a bruised shin. Although he initially tried to play on, he<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":28470,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Nigerian superstar Victor Osimhen has come under scrutiny. This is after missing the crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bafana Bafana, with claims that...","footnotes":""},"categories":[56,64],"tags":[356,286,11118,11108],"class_list":{"0":"post-28466","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"category-sports-news","9":"tag-2026-fifa-world-cup","10":"tag-bafana-bafana","11":"tag-latest-football-news","12":"tag-latest-sports-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28466","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28466"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28466\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28475,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28466\/revisions\/28475"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28470"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28466"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28466"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28466"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}