The Super Eagles of Nigeria have confirmed an illness blow for the team’s top striker Victor Osimhen ahead of their AFCON semifinal showdown with South Africa, LCSoccerHub Reports.
The three-time African champions will take on South Africa in a highly-anticipated 2023 AFCON showdown at the Bouate Stadium.
Nigeria defeated Angola 1-0 in the quarterfinals to set up the round 4 clash with the Bafana Bafana of South Africa, who saw off the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde via penalties in the other quarterfinals.
Victor Osimhen, who scored the opening goal in the Super Eagles AFCON opener against Equatorial Guinea, is likely to miss the clash based on a recent update on the squad.
In a sad report shared by the team’s media unit, Victor Osimhen could not travel with the Super Eagles squad to Bouate where they will play South Africa. He was reportedly left behind in the care of one of the team’s medical officers due to an abdominal cramp.
Nevertheless, the 25-year-old will be expected to join up with the squad today in evening if he recovers fully.
“Members of the team traveled from Abidjan to Bouaké today via a 10pm Air Cote D’Ivoire flight. Osimhen did not however make the trip as a result of an abdominal discomfort. Team medics confirmed that he has been placed under close watch with a member of the medical team staying behind in Abidjan with him. If cleared by tomorrow morning, he will join the rest of the squad before 5pm,” the report reads.
Members of the team traveled from Abidjan to Bouaké today via a 10pm Air Cote D'Ivoire flight. Osimhen did not however make the trip as a result of an abdominal discomfort. Team medics confirmed that he has been placed under close watch with a member of the medical team staying… pic.twitter.com/G39LqaKcVA
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) February 5, 2024
With a goal in his five matches, it hasn’t been a terrific AFCON campaign for the Napoli sensation and CAF Footballer of The Year but he has contributed immensely to the Super Eagles’ progress through the tournament.
Nigeria fans will be hoping for his quick recovery to join up with the squad ahead of the rollercoaster clash against the South Africans.
It will the sixth meeting between the two footballing nations. They have a win apiece and three draws. The highly-sought match will see the two teams renew their rivalry at the biggest stage in African football.
