AFCON 2023: Osimhen misses Super Eagles trip to Bouake

Nigeria’s forward #9 Victor Osimhen holds the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 group A football match between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan, on January 14, 2024. (Photo by Issouf SANOGO / AFP)

Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, missed the Super Eagles’ trip to Bouake on Monday night ahead of their 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final game against South Africa.

According to a statement on the Super Eagles’ X handle, members of the team traveled from Abidjan to Bouaké via a 10pm Air Cote D’Ivoire flight.

“Victor Osimhen did not, however, make the trip as a result of an abdominal discomfort,” the statement read.

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, the reigning African Footballer of the year will join the rest of the squad before 5pm.

Osimhen has so failed to find his scoring touch at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast with the striker netting only one goal.

That was when the Super Eagles’ played out a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea in their group A opener back on January 14.

The Napoli striker has, however, been very useful for Nigeria in the attack and will aim to add to his goal tally against South Africa on Wednesday.

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