Lookman back in Atalanta’s line up

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, who missed Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against the Bafana Bafana in South Africa on September 9, will be available for the last two games of the 2026 World Cup qualifying series, officials of his Turkish team, Galatasaray have said.

Osimhen copped an injury during the Super Eagles’ penultimate World Cup qualifier against Lesotho, in Uyo, which ruled him out of the game with the Bafana Bafana.

The 1-1 draw in Bloemfontein effectively ruled Nigeria out of automatic qualification for the World Cup as Group C leaders, but the Super Eagles can make the African playoff as one of the four second-placed teams from the nine groups if they defeat Benin Republic in Uyo and Lesotho away in their matches next month.

South Africa leads Group C with 17 points, followed by Benin Republic on 14 points, while Nigeria is third on 11 points. Nigeria’s bid for the second position in Group C has been strengthened by Galatasaray’s announcement that Osimhen will return to action in two weeks.

According to turkish-football.com, Osimhen is expected to miss two more games, which includes Galatasaray’s upcoming Super Lig fixtures against Konyaspor and Alanyaspor.

The absence of their primary goal-scorer will test Galatasaray’s depth, although the club is still expected to fare well in their next two domestic matches.

The report indicates that the striker is anticipated to make his return to action on September 30, when Galatasaray takes on Liverpool in their second group-stage match.

Another Super Eagles’ forward, Ademola Lookman, who was visibly below his usual form, is expected to be in tip-top shape when the last couple of World Cup qualifiers come around in October.

Lookman had not featured for Atalanta until yesterday due to a face-off he had with the Italian side after his failed attempt to join Inter Milan during the summer transfer season. He stayed away from the team’s training sessions during the pre-season until he reached a rapport with the former Europa League champions last week.

He appeared in the last couple of minutes in Atalanta’s 3-0 defeat of Totino in the Serie A yesterday, raising hopes that he would have rediscovered his form before the World Cup qualifiers against Benin Republic and Lesotho next month.