Why is Victor Osimhen Not Playing for Nigeria vs Egypt AFCON 3rd Place Match?

It is the fixture of giants that fate relegated to the undercard: Nigeria vs Egypt. The Super Eagles vs The Pharaohs. A match of this calibre usually decides the champion, but tonight in the AFCON 2025 third-place playoff, it decides who leaves with bronze medal pride and who departs empty-handed.

However, the pre-match chatter isn't about intricate tactics, storied history, or even the high stakes; it's dominated by a single, anxious inquiry echoing from Lagos to Cairo: Is Victor Osimhen playing tonight?

The answer, unfortunately for the Green and White army, lies in the bruised aftermath of the semi-final clash. Is Victor Osimhen playing in Egypt vs Nigeria? Spoiler: Highly unlikely.

The Injury Blow Against Morocco

The primary reason Victor Osimhen is expected to miss the match is fitness-related. During the gruelling semi-final clash against the host nation, Morocco, Osimhen sustained an ankle injury that hampered his explosive movement.

The Napoli star, African Player of the Year and Nigeria's talisman with 4 goals in this tournament, was visibly struggling in the closing stages.

In a tactical gamble that's sparked endless debate among fans and pundits, head coach Eric Chelle substituted Osimhen just minutes before the penalty shootout, bringing on towering target man Paul Onuachu. Chelle later confirmed in his post-match press conference that the move was forced, stating, "Victor had a small injury to his ankle," which prevented the 26-year-old from stepping up for a penalty. Scans and assessments have painted a cautious picture; swelling and tenderness rule out risks.

Because of this knock, it is highly unlikely that the medical team will risk further damage in a third-place playoff.

Making the answer to "Is Victor Osimhen playing in Egypt vs Nigeria?" a probable no, and "Is Victor Osimhen playing tonight?" an emphatic sidelining for the good of his career.

Team News, Replacements, and Tactical Shifts

With Osimhen sidelined, Nigeria will have to reshuffle their attack, but the Super Eagles boast serious depth upfront. Fans can expect to see Paul Onuachu anchor the line; his height offers an aerial threat, which Osimhen's pace complements, or perhaps Akor Adams injecting energy from Lille. Coach Chelle might tweak to a 4-4-2, emphasising midfield control with the likes of Wilfred Ndidi to feed forwards.

For fans frantically searching "Is Victor Osimhen playing tonight?", the reality is clear: the coaching staff will prioritise his long-term fitness over a consolation match, eyeing his return for Napoli soon.

Even without their talismanic striker, the stakes remain sky-high. Nigeria and Egypt share a storied AFCON history—think Egypt's record 7 titles clashing with Nigeria's 3, including epic 2019 quarterfinal drama.

Both sides are eager to salvage pride after missing the final. Egypt's Mohamed Salah leads their charge, but Nigeria's resilience shines through. Given the ankle issue and the match's nature, expect the 2023-24 African Player of the Year to cheer his teammates on from the sidelines rather than lead the line tonight.