Victor Osimhen has reportedly turned down a request from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to accompany the Super Eagles for their 2026 World Cup qualifier in South Africa.

According to SuperSport presenter Charles Anazodo, NFF officials appealed to the Galatasaray striker to travel with the team for moral support, despite the ankle injury he sustained during Nigeria’s 1-0 win over Rwanda earlier in the international break.

Instead, Osimhen returned to Turkey immediately after the Rwanda match to focus on treatment and recovery with his club side. “A very reliable source told me NFF officials pleaded with Osimhen to travel with the team to South Africa,” Anazodo revealed on X (formerly Twitter). “He blatantly refused and chose to go back to his club.”

The 26-year-old forward remains in rehabilitation but is expected to be fit in time for Galatasaray’s UEFA Champions League clash against Eintracht Frankfurt later this week.