Victor Osimhen will not attend the CAF Awards in Rabat on Wednesday, sparking widespread speculation as the ceremony approaches.
The event at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University gathers leading figures of African football, yet one of the continent’s biggest stars will be absent from the spotlight.
Osimhen returned to Turkey after suffering an injury during Nigeria’s playoff defeat against DR Congo.
He left the pitch during the match and then underwent medical examinations in Istanbul on Wednesday morning.
The tests confirmed a moderate strain in his left posterior muscle, and he has already started a rehabilitation programme with Galatasaray.
The timing of his departure raised immediate questions.
His return came on the same day as the awards ceremony, prompting debate about whether he might already know the outcome of the African Player of the Year vote.
Osimhen, crowned in 2023, competes this year with Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain.
His absence has intensified curiosity around the final result. Supporters in Nigeria wonder whether the striker, still disappointed after the loss to DR Congo, preferred to avoid a second emotional blow in Rabat.
Others believe he chose to prioritise his recovery ahead of Galatasaray’s upcoming fixtures.
Osimhen’s current form offers little doubt about his value. He continues to deliver decisive performances for Galatasaray and remains central to Nigeria’s ambitions as the Super Eagles seek redemption after finishing runners-up at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The defeat to Ivory Coast in that final still weighs heavily on him, and another setback so soon after the playoff disappointment would hit hard.
As the evening approaches, the intrigue grows. The ceremony will honour Africa’s best, but Osimhen’s absence ensures that the spotlight extends far beyond the stage in Rabat.
