Osimhen and Dessers Absent From Super Eagles Training Ahead of Knockout Tie

Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen and Cyriel Dessers did not take part in Nigeria’s latest training session as the team prepared for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 clash against Mozambique in Morocco.

The Galatasaray striker was missing alongside Dessers, who is reportedly dealing with a thigh injury, as well as defender Ryan Alebiosu, who is recovering from a leg cut sustained in the final Group C match.

Nigeria coach Éric Chelle elected to hold sessions behind closed doors as his side intensifies preparations following a perfect group stage that saw them top their section with three wins.

Osimhen has been one of the Eagles’ standout performers in the tournament, leading the line and scoring key goals, but was rested during the session — a decision believed to be part of a workload management strategy rather than a sign of a serious injury.

Dessers’ absence has raised concerns over his fitness after the striker failed to feature in previous matches, and Alebiosu’s recovery timeline remains uncertain following his debut performance against Uganda.

Editorial

In football’s crucible of expectation and endurance, absence can be as telling as presence. The omission of Victor Osimhen and Cyriel Dessers from a pivotal Super Eagles training session ahead of their AFCON Round of 16 tie against Mozambique is not merely a footnote in a preparation schedule it is a reflection of the complex orchestration that defines elite international competition.

Osimhen’s stature in Nigerian football — a talismanic figure whose goals have often shaped the trajectory of this national side — renders any deviation from routine worthy of scrutiny. Yet, viewed through a considered lens, his absence from this particular session speaks less of fragility and more of prudence. With the relentlessness of tournament football pressing on bodies and minds alike, Éric Chelle’s decision to manage his captain’s workload is symptomatic of a coach attuned to the broader arc of the campaign rather than the immediacy of one training drill.

Dessers’ situation, by contrast, carries an air of uncertainty rather than calculated rest. A thigh complaint that has kept him off the pitch underscores the fine margins that separate fitness from frustration at this stage of the competition. For a squad brimming with options yet craving cohesion in attack, every potential loss of attacking firepower demands tactical ingenuity.

Injuries and workload decisions are the chess pieces of tournament management. They require foresight, subtle judgment and an acceptance that no figure, however revered, is immune to the wear of the fixture calendar. For Nigeria, balancing the strength of their frontline with the rigours of knockout football is now as vital as any formation or set-piece routine. It is a reminder that glory in football is not won by the swift alone, but by those who endure with wisdom and restraint.

Did You Know?

1. Rest, Not Injury for Osimhen Osimhen’s absence from this training session is being viewed as workload management rather than a fresh injury, as the coach aims to preserve his fitness for the knockout stages.
2. Dessers Yet to Feature Cyriel Dessers has yet to play a single minute at AFCON 2025 so far, hampered by a thigh issue that is being closely monitored by team medical staff.
3. Alebiosu’s Impressive Debut Mishap Defender Ryan Alebiosu suffered a deep leg laceration during his first Super Eagles appearance against Uganda, which has kept him out of training and potentially out of the Round of 16 tie.
4. Nigeria Perfect in Groups The Super Eagles topped their AFCON group with three straight victories, showcasing one of the tournament’s most consistent performances heading into the knockouts.
5. Closed-Door Training  Chelle has opted to shut media access to training sessions, a strategy often used by coaches to reduce distractions and maintain focus on tactical preparation.