By VICTOR OKOYE

The Super Eagles are set to welcome reigning Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen back to the squad for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Osimhen, who has been in sensational form was ruled out for the home and away AFCON qualifying matches against Libya.

This was after he suffered a muscle injury during Galatasaray’s Super Lig clash against Kas?mpa?a on Sept. 28.

The Turkish club confirmed that the 25-year-old striker sustained a strain in his upper left posterior muscle group, sidelining him for a few weeks.

A statement by Ademola Olajire, the Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Wednesday,said Osimhen would make his return, alongside 22 other players for the last two 2025 AFCON Qualifiers.

“Captain William Ekong, Atalanta of Italy’s Ademola Lookman, effervescent winger Moses Simon, Osimhen and 19 other players will seek for six points against Benin Republic and Rwanda.

“The matches are the closing rounds of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign this month.

“Coach Augustine Eguavoen has also called goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoye, defenders Calvin Bassey and Bright Osayi-Samuel.

“Others are midfielders Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface and Samuel Chukwueze.

“Home-based defender Victor Collins will join up with the group for the first time, and there is a return for gangling forward Sadiq Umar, who plays for Real Sociedad in Spain.

“Defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi are also listed, while France-based defender Gabriel Osho will hope to play his first competitive game for fatherland.

“This was after his inability to honour a first call-up in the summer due to injury,” Olajire said.

NAN also reports that the Super Eagles will fly directly to Abidjan on Nov. 11, for the confrontation with the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Stade Felix-Houphouet-Boigny on Nov. 14.

The team would then travel down to Uyo for the final qualifying game against the Amavubi of Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Nov. 18.

Currently top of Group D, the Super Eagles will be certain of a place in the final tournament if they get a point against the Cheetahs, which will earn them 11 points, and with only final-day opponents Rwanda capable of catching up with them on points.

However, with a current tally of seven goals for and none against (following the CAF Disciplinary Board’s award of three points and three goals for the botched Matchday 4 encounter against Libya), the Super Eagles stand head and shoulders above the Amavubi

The Rwandans have one goal deficit and five points in their favour going into the final two matchdays.

Full list of 23 invited players

Goalkeepers:

Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Fasil Kenema SC, Ethiopia)

Defenders:

William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Victor Collins (Nasarawa United)

Midfielders:

Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC. Italy); Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Forwards:

Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain). (NAN)