AFCON: Osimhen doubtful for S’Africa clash over abdominal discomfort

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, has failed to travel with his colleagues to Bouake in Cote d’Ivoire for Nigeria’s Semi-final clash against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa over abdominal discomfort.

The Super Eagles, on Monday, departed their base in Abidjan for Bouake for the semi-final match slated for Wednesday, February 7, 2024, after trumping Angola 1-0 in the quarter-final.

The Super Eagles, in a post on X on Monday, said the players travelled from Abidjan to Bouake on Monday via a 10 p.m. Air Cote D’Ivoire flight, noting that Osimhen did not make the trip over abdominal discomfort.

The team stated: “Members of the team traveled from Abidjan to Bouaké today (Monday) via a 10pm Air Cote D’Ivoire flight. Osimhen did not however make the trip as a result of an abdominal discomfort.

AFCON: South Africa set up semi-final clash with Nigeria

“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.”

It would be recalled that the Super Eagles defeated the Palancas Negras of Angola 1-0 at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan last Friday to book a semi-final clash with South Africa.

South Africa goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams, saved four penalties during the shootout against Cape Verde to catapult his country into the last four of the tournament after a 0-0 draw in their quarter-final on Saturday.

Nigeria will however take on South Africa in Bouake at 6 p.m. on Wednesday for a place in the 2023 AFCON final.

The Star