Former Ghanaian international Asamoah Gyan has cast doubt on Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen’s injury, suggesting the striker may have faked it to skip the Super Eagles’ 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa.

Osimhen returned to Galatasaray after sustaining a leg injury during Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda last weekend, ruling him out of Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Bafana Bafana at the Free State Stadium. Galatasaray later confirmed that the 26-year-old suffered an ankle ligament injury.

However, Gyan questioned the authenticity of the claim, implying it might have been a strategy to keep Osimhen fit for club competitions.

“I know these tricks. Someone said to Osimhen, ‘Look, we spent a lot of money on you. The Champions League is coming up. We don’t like you going to Africa but go there and play a bit, then get injured and lie on the ground and act like it’s serious. The next day you’ll be in Türkiye,’” Gyan told habersarikirmizi.