In the latest Osimhen news, Nigeria has been hit with unexpected news ahead of their crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final clash against South Africa.
Star striker Victor Osimhen, a key player for the Super Eagles, has been sidelined due to an abdominal discomfort, casting a shadow over the team's preparations for the highly anticipated match.
Osimhen news: Nigeria stunned as the stricker sidelined ahead of AFCON semi-final
The team members traveled from Abidjan to Bouaké today via a 10 pm Air Cote D'Ivoire flight.
However, Osimhen did not make the trip with the squad. Instead, he remained in Abidjan under close observation by the team's medical staff.
A member of the medical team stayed behind to monitor Osimhen's condition, with hopes that he could join the squad before the match kicks off on Wednesday at 5 pm.
The absence of Osimhen, who has scored one goal in the tournament so far, comes as a blow to Nigeria's aspirations of reaching their first AFCON final since 2013.
The Napoli striker has been a key figure in the Super Eagles' campaign, featuring in all five of Nigeria's games.
Nigeria vs South Africa – A clash of titans
The Super Eagles finished second in Group A after drawing their opener against Equatorial Guinea and securing victories against hosts Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau.
They continued their impressive form with wins over Cameroon and Angola in the knockout stages, setting up a semi-final showdown with South Africa.
The winner of the Nigeria vs bafana bafana match will advance to Sunday's final, where they will face either Ivory Coast or DR Congo.
Nigeria's journey to the semi-finals marks a record-equaling 16th appearance in the tournament's history, showcasing the team's consistent presence at the highest level of African football.
Wednesday's encounter against South Africa holds historical significance, as it is a repeat of the semi-final clash in 2000, which Nigeria won 2-0 in Lagos.
While Nigeria boasts three AFCON titles, with the last triumph coming in 2013, South Africa's sole championship victory dates back to 1996.
As Nigeria prepares to take on South Africa perhaps without their talismanic striker, the team will look to draw inspiration from past successes and demonstrate their resilience in pursuit of continental glory once again.
This article was most recently revised and updated 8 months ago
