Victor Osimhen is absent from the Super Eagles’ team that flew to Bouaké on Monday ahead of the semi-final encounter with South Africa.
According to a statement from Super Eagles media officer, Babafemi Raji, African footballer of the year, Osimhen, is being monitored by a team of doctors over complaints of ‘abdominal discomfort’.
The statement said: “Members of the team travelled from Abidjan to Bouaké today via a 10 p.m. Air Cote d’Ivoire flight.”
Osimhen did not, however, make the trip as a result of 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 5 p.m.
“Nigerians face an anxious wait to see whether Osimhen will be available for the epic semi-final encounter with the Bafana Bafana.
The Super Eagles are the most experienced team at this stage, making their 16th appearance in the AFCON since their debut in Ghana in 1963, reaching the last four without playing extra time.
For Bafana Bafana, this is their fourth time reaching the last four and the first time since 2000, when they suffered a 2-0 loss to Nigeria.
In the last 20 years, Nigeria have dominated this fixture with the most victories in their 11 meetings so far.
The Super Eagles have had six wins, drawn four, and recorded one loss.
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