Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen is likely to miss Nigeria’s match with Bafana Bafana in the semi final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.
This was hinted by the media officer of the Nigerian team, Babafemi Raji, who disclosed that the Napoli star is suffering from abdominal discomfort.
In a statement on Monday, February 5, Raji also said that Osimhen did not travel with the team to Bouaké, the city hosting the semi-final clash against South Africa.
The statement read; “Members of the team traveled from Abidjan to Bouaké today via a 10 pm 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 5 pm.”
Meanwhile, in related news…
Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, has said that his team aims to beat South Africa when both countries face each other on Wednesday.
According to the Portuguese, Nigeria wants to clinch a win either in 90 minutes, 120 minutes or penalties at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.
Peseiro made the comment on Monday while insisting that he is not thinking about South Africa’s penalty-saving specialist Ronwen Williams ahead of the clash.
Williams etched his name into the history books after saving four penalties in a single AFCON shootout as Bafana Bafana defeated Cape Verde in the quarter final.
When asked if he is thinking about the Mamelodi Sundowns shot-stopper, Peseiro said; “No. I think about the opponent. We observe the opponent, we want to beat them in the 90 minutes, 120 minutes or penalties.
“We have to prepare the team well to be focused and show a good mentality. Our players deserve to reach the final but we need to beat South Africa in a hard match.”
