Victor Osimhen will not feature at the 2025 CAF Awards ceremony on Wednesday night, after returning to Istanbul for urgent medical assessment following a hamstring injury sustained on international duty.
The Galatasaray striker, listed among the final three contenders for the African Player of the Year award, was expected in Rabat for the event but has been advised to undergo immediate scans.
Osimhen picked up the injury during Nigeria’s African playoff final defeat to DR Congo on Sunday and has since experienced noticeable discomfort.
Galatasaray’s medical department requested prompt imaging to determine the extent of the strain and define a recovery trajectory ahead of a demanding phase in their 2025/26 campaign.
The forward’s absence will shift the tone of this year’s ceremony, especially given his strong candidacy.
Osimhen, who won the award in 2023, delivered an outstanding 37 goals in 41 matches during his loan spell at Galatasaray, placing him firmly in contention again.
Osimhen is joined on the final shortlist by Mohamed Salah, who registered 29 goals and 18 assists in the Premier League, and Achraf Hakimi, whose dominant season helped power PSG to a historic treble, including their maiden UEFA Champions League title.
This year’s competition presents no clear frontrunner. Osimhen and Salah lead from an individual performance standpoint, while Hakimi’s trophy-laden campaign offers voters a compelling alternative.
However, Osimhen’s injury-enforced absence may influence perceptions heading into the final decision.
