World Cup Qualifiers: Boniface Leads As Possible Backup For  Osimhen, Chukwueze

Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen will not be competing in this month’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers, according to Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro.

Coach Peseiro has several of possibilities to replace Chukwueze and Osimhen, who are out of shape, on the Super Eagles’ offensive line.

Because of his amazing start to his career in Germany, Victor Boniface, a forward for Bayer Leverkusen, is currently considered to be Nigeria’s second-most valuable player. In Osimhen and Chukwueze’s absence, he is now expected to carry the Super Eagles’ offensive load.

Ademola Lookman, who has found his scoring touch at Atalanta, and Paul Onuachu, who is playing at the peak of his form at Trabzonspor in Turkey, are two more attacking options.

Akor Adams of Montpellier, Terem Moffi of OGC Nice, and Chuba Akpom of Ajax Amsterdam are three more effective attackers who could be chosen in lieu of Osimhen and Chukwueze.

READ ALSO: Ballor d’Or: Messi Wins Record-Extending Eighth Award, Spain’s Bonmati Bags Female Title

Chukwueze, the latest addition to AC Milan, didn’t appear to be ready for the World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday, November 7, as the Nigerian international was benched during AC Milan’s 2-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain.

Osimhen’s injury sustained during Nigeria’s friendly encounter against Saudi Arabia last month has been proven to be still causing him pain.

In light of this, they will be unavailable for Nigeria’s opening 2026 World Cup qualifying game against Lesotho on November 16 at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

Also, they wouldn’t be available for the qualification match against Zimbabwe at Huye Stadium in Butare, Rwanda on November 17.

“Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen will not be called up during the next break; we want to avoid any risks,” Peseiro told TV Play.

“I was very sorry for their injuries: the clubs pay the players, and we constantly collaborate with them.”