Sport | Football
Victor Osimhen is set to feature in Nigeria‘s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against South Africa, after abdominal discomfort delayed the striker from travelling with the squad.
In a tournament that has seen a number of the big names fall to shock exits, the Super Eagles are now favourites to lift the trophy ahead of their last-four clash on Wednesday.
However, while the Nigeria squad flew to Bouake on Monday, Osimhen remained in the capital Abidjan with a member of the medical staff, and it remains to be seen whether he is fit to join up with his team-mates ahead of the AFCON showdown with South Africa.
A Super Eagles statement on Monday read: “Members of the team traveled from Abidjan to Bouaké today via a 10pm 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 5pm.”
On Tuesday, he did get the green light to link up with the squad however the exact nature of his injury remains somewhat uncertain.
Napoli striker Osimhen was stretchered off in stoppage-time of the 1-0 quarter-final win over Angola.
The 25-year-old has played in all five of Nigeria’s matches at the tournament, though he has not scored since netting the equaliser in his country’s opening match against Equatorial Guinea.
The Super Eagles are bidding to win AFCON for a fourth time, having failed to reach the final since they last won in 2013. In the four tournaments that have followed, Nigeria have twice failed to even qualify, and two years ago they were beaten in the last-16 by Tunisia.
Nigeria vs South Africa: Prediction, kick-off time, team news, odds, h2h
Chelsea XI vs Aston Villa: Confirmed team news and injury latest
Aston Villa hit by defensive injury crisis before Chelsea clash
First look at exceptional new London properties for sale in 2024
Victory over South Africa on Wednesday would set up a final against either hosts Ivory Coast or DR Congo on Sunday.
MORE ABOUT
Have your say…
1
football
46,255
Transfer news LIVE! Chelsea want Benzema; Isak to Arsenal; Spurs join Olise race; Man Utd latest
2
uk
20,861
Met Office extends weather warnings as snow and ice hits UK
3
uk
17,222
Queen Elizabeth told aides Harry and Meghan naming child Lilibet ‘took only thing she owned’, book claims
4
football
17,198
Transfer news LIVE! Chelsea want Benzema; Isak to Arsenal; Spurs join Olise race; Man Utd latest
5
football
13,196
Algeria vs Angola LIVE! AFCON match stream, match stream, latest score and goal updates today
About The Author
More Stories
Advancing the Safer Internet Initiative for Everyone
Youth in Action: Contributing to a More Connected and Inclusive Digital Future
Advancing a Connected Future for Indigenous Communities