Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen may miss the much-anticipated semifinal clash against South Africa in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Super Eagles are gearing up for a crucial game against Bafana Bafana on Wednesday evening at the Stade Bouake.
Osimhen, who did not travel with the Nigerian team to Bouaké on Monday, is currently under the care of a medical team in Abidjan. This was revealed by the Nigerian Football Federation on Monday.
The decision to keep Osimhen behind is related to medical assessments. His potential inclusion in the squad will depend on the outcome of these evaluations.
The absence of the Napoli striker could pose a significant challenge for Nigeria in the semifinal encounter, as they face a tough opponent in South Africa. Osimhen, the most expensive player at the AFCON, has been a crucial part of the Nigerian team’s success, delivering solid performances with one goal and one assist in the tournament.
The 25-year-old showcased his attacking prowess in the knockout matches against Cameroon and Angola, earning him the status of a key player for the Super Eagles.
The outcome of the medical assessments will determine whether Osimhen will be fit to contribute to Nigeria’s quest for AFCON glory in this edition.
The Super Eagles are hoping to win their fourth AFCON title having last won the trophy in 2013 in South Africa.
Nigeria began the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea thanks to Osimhen’s equaliser which earned them a crucial point. The Super Eagles went on to beat host nation Ivory Coast 1-0 before securing another narrow victory over Guinea Bissau to gather seven points.
They secured a 2-0 win against five-time champions Cameroon in the round of 16 before eliminating Angola with a 1-0 win in the quarters.