Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen was not part of the team that traveled to Bouaké last night ahead of Nigeria’s semifinal game with South Africa on Wednesday.
Team doctors confirmed that he has been placed under close watch in Abidjan suffering abdominal discomfort, and If cleared by tomorrow morning, he will join the rest of the squad before 5 pm.
In an Official statement released by the Nigerian FA,
“We will fly from Abidjan to Bouaké today via a 10 pm Air Cote D’Ivoire flight.
“Victor Osimhen will not join us on this trip as a result of 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.”
Nigeria is set to play against Bafana Bafana tomorrow evening and Osimhen’s absence could prove vital in the tie.
It is unclear what the abdominal discomfort is or what might have caused it, although the forward did look jaded when he was taken off late in the quarterfinal win over Angola
Losing the current African Player of the Year would be a big blow to Nigeria, whose attack has been anchored around the striker’s high press and energetic movement. Osimhen has been involved in four of Nigeria’s six goals so far at the tournament, including scoring the lone goal in their opening 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea.
If he is unable to make it on time for the game, coach Jose Peseiro has options
on the bench, Onuachu has been the only substitute so far for Osimhen this tournament, while Iheanacho and Moffi are yet to get any minutes.
