Nigeria’s star striker, Victor Osimhen, whose participation in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semifinal clash against South Africa is hanging in the balance due to concerns over his injury.
Osimhen, a key player for the Super Eagles, failed to join the rest of the squad as they departed from Abidjan for the crucial semifinal fixture scheduled for Wednesday.
The striker reportedly experienced abdominal discomfort, prompting team medics to observe him closely. A medical team member has stayed back in Abidjan with Osimhen, monitoring his condition closely.
The Super Eagles’ official statement on X (formerly Twitter) conveyed that Osimhen’s inclusion in the squad for the semifinal depends on his recovery.
Should he receive medical clearance by the following day, he could rejoin the team before 5 p.m. on match day.
Osimhen’s absence could be a significant blow to Nigeria’s AFCON campaign, as the Napoli star has been a tireless contributor, even though he has scored just one goal in the tournament.
Nigeria, reaching the semifinals for a record-equalling 16th time in 20 appearances, faces a tough challenge against South Africa, a team they famously defeated 2-0 in the 2000 semifinal in Lagos.
All eyes are now on the medical updates and the hope that the star striker can recover to play a pivotal role in Nigeria’s quest for AFCON glory.
