Broos Reacts to Osimhen’s Absence Ahead of South Africa vs Nigeria Showdown

South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has downplayed the impact of Victor Osimhen’s absence ahead of Tuesday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Nigeria in Bloemfontein.

Osimhen, who picked up an ankle injury in Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda last Saturday, did not travel with the Super Eagles squad to South Africa, leaving head coach Eric Chelle without his star forward.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Broos admitted that while the Galatasaray striker is a top-class player, the Super Eagles have more than enough quality to cope.

“We also have injuries, and I think Osimhen is a very good striker. But I think the coach has lots of options to replace him,” Broos said.

The much-anticipated encounter at the Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein, will kick off at 5pm Nigerian time.

Opinion: Nigeria’s True Test Without Osimhen

Osimhen’s absence is undeniably a blow. His pace, power, and relentless pressing often tilt matches in Nigeria’s favour. However, Broos is right—Nigeria is not short of attacking options. With forwards like Taiwo Awoniyi, Cyriel Dessers, Samuel Chukwueze, and Ademola Lookman available, the Super Eagles still boast enough firepower to trouble South Africa.

This game could serve as a litmus test for Nigeria’s depth. Too often, the Super Eagles have been accused of being overly reliant on Osimhen. Now is the time for other attackers to step up and prove that Nigeria is more than a one-man team.

For South Africa, Osimhen’s absence might look like a relief on paper, but underestimating Nigeria’s attacking bench could be a mistake. Sometimes, a team becomes even more unpredictable when its biggest star is unavailable.

In short, this fixture is no longer just about whether Nigeria can stop South Africa—it’s about whether the Super Eagles can prove their collective strength without their talisman.