Osimhen, 27, who previously won the award in 2023, is nominated for the accolade for the second time in his career. He is competing against Mohammed Salah of Egypt and Liverpool, and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi of PSG.
The injury occurred during Nigeria’s World Cup African play-offs final against DR Congo on Sunday, where Osimhen was substituted at halftime to prevent further aggravation of the suspected hamstring problem. The scan in Turkey will determine the extent of the injury and the expected recovery time.
Earlier in the tournament, Osimhen had showcased his scoring prowess, netting an extra-time brace against Gabon in the semi-final, bringing his national team tally to 31 goals.
Osimhen returns to the CAF Awards stage after previously winning two years ago, following which his compatriot Ademola Lookman claimed the accolade. Fans and football stakeholders alike will keenly watch to see whether Osimhen can secure a second title despite missing the event.