Is it Advantage Bafana Bafana? Nigeria confirm the absence of Super Eagles' key player after landing in South Africa along with two Olympic gold medallists ahead of crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier

The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed that Victor Osimhen will miss Tuesday's blockbuster clash between the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana.

Twenty-two Super Eagles players landed at the Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein on Sunday evening, accompanied by 1996 Olympic gold medal-winning Nigerian legends Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Ikepa.  

"There were 22 players and the technical and administrative staff, with forward Victor Osimhen, who copped an injury in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat of Rwanda in Uyo, the only absentee from the ensemble that was invited," an NFF statement read.

Nigeria are placed third in the Group C standings - a point behind second-placed Benin and six points behind leaders, South Africa, with three matches left.

The Nigeria Football Federation has made it known that they are keenly waiting for FIFA’s decision on South Africa's use of an ineligible player (Teboho Mokoena) in their win over Lesotho in March this year.

Lesotho would move to nine points if South Africa are penalised by points deduction. 

This would boost Bafana's group rivals' hopes of qualifying for the World Cup, excluding Zimbabwe, who have already been eliminated. 

The Super Eagles will have their official training session at the Toyota Stadium at 6 pm local time on Monday (5 pm Nigeria time).

They would then lock horns with Bafana Bafana at Toyota Stadium on Tuesday at the same time.