A clearer picture has emerged regarding Victor Osimhen’s shocking halftime substitution during Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying defeat to DR Congo on Sunday. The Super Eagles bowed out of the race for the second consecutive edition after a tense 4–3 penalty shootout loss in Rabat.

Fans were left stunned when Osimhen, Nigeria’s most influential player in the qualifiers, failed to return for the second half. The 25-year-old striker had scored five goals in his last two qualifying matches and was widely expected to lead the charge in what turned out to be Nigeria’s final hurdle.

However, according to Super Eagles insider and ESPN correspondent Colin Udoh, Osimhen was withdrawn due to a hamstring injury.

Udoh explained:
“He was taken off at halftime. I got a call into the team and I found out that he had a hamstring problem and that’s why he was taken off.”

He added that Osimhen’s presence has always been pivotal:
“Whenever Osimhen has played and scored or assisted, Nigeria have never lost a game. The moment he went off at halftime, I just knew something was about to happen.”

Without their talisman, the Super Eagles visibly struggled. DR Congo seized control of the game, dictating play and eventually eliminating Eric Chelle’s men via penalties after a 1–1 draw across 120 minutes.

Nigeria will now turn their focus toward the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for December, as they attempt to rebuild after yet another heartbreaking World Cup miss.

Opinion: Nigeria’s Overdependence on Osimhen Is Becoming Too Costly

Osimhen’s injury did more than just weaken Nigeria’s attack — it exposed a deeper problem: the Super Eagles’ chronic dependence on one man. When a national team collapses simply because its star player is absent, it signals a structural failure.

Nigeria has one of the largest pools of football talent in Africa and Europe, yet the team consistently struggles whenever Osimhen is not on the pitch. This is not a Victor Osimhen problem — it is a Nigerian football problem.

The coaching staff must rethink their tactical approach, build a functional attacking system, and develop alternative goal threats. Football is a team sport, and no country with Nigeria’s talent should hinge its entire fate on a single player’s fitness.

If Nigeria hopes to make a strong statement at AFCON 2025, this moment should serve as a wake-up call. The Super Eagles must evolve beyond dependency and embrace a more balanced, strategic identity.