SUPER Eagles striker Victor Osimhen could miss the AFCON 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against South Africa after failing to travel with the rest of the squad from Abidjan to Bouake.
The three-time African champions face rivals South Africa in the first semi-final of the competition on Wednesday in Bouake for a place in Sunday’s final.
According to the Super Eagles media team from Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, the Napoli striker will be monitored in Abijdan while the rest of the squad head to Bouake, which is about 350km away.
“We will fly from Abidjan to Bouaké today via a 10pm Air Cote d’Ivoire flight,” an official statement from the team tonight says.
“Victor Osimhen will not join us on this 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.”
Osimhen has started all of the Super Eagles’ five matches in Cote d’Ivoire, contributing one goal and one assist, but he was forced off injured in the 80th minute of the quarter-final victory over Angola on Friday.
If the Napoli striker is not fit in time for the match, Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has centre forward options in Paul Onuachu, Terem Moffi and Kelechi Iheanacho.
