Staff Reporter.
Nigeria star Victor Osimhen is a major doubt for the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against South Africa in Bouake on Wednesday, team officials said.
Osimhen did not fly Monday with the rest of the squad for Bouake due to abdominal discomfort, a statement issued by Super Eagles spokesman Babafemi Raji said.
“Team medics confirmed that he has been placed under close watch with a member of the medical team staying behind in Abidjan with him,” the statement read.
The reigning African Player of the Year did not train Monday evening before the team’s departure from Abidjan.
Osimhen was substituted late in the quarter-final against Angola at the weekend.
The 25-year-old has scored a goal and provided an assist in the tournament.
Meanwhile South Africa head coach Hugo Broos believes his team are hungry to succeed as they go in search of their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations victory over Nigeria.
Bafana Bafana have lost all three encounters against the Super Eagles on Africa’s biggest stage, but they are buzzing after beating surprise-package Cape Verde 2-1 on penalties to reach the semifinals.
The Bouake clash is followed on Wednesday by the second semi-final in Abidjan in which hosts Ivory Coast face Democratic Republic of Congo.