AFCON 2023: Super Eagles depart Abidjan for Bouake without Osimhen

Napoli FC of Italy striker Victor Osimhen did not travel with his colleagues to Bouake for the Super Eagles Semi-final clash against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, our correspondent reports.

Nigeria departed their base in Abidjan for Bouake for the semi-final match on Monday after trumping Angola 1-0 in the quarter-final.

Our correspondent reports that the team left their hotel at around 8:13p.m (local time) without Osimhen with media officer Babafemi Raji explaining that he was not included in the 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 5:00 p.m.,” Raji said.

Our correspondent recalls that the Super Eagles defeated the Palancas Negras of Angola 1-0 at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan on Friday to book a semi-final date with South Africa.

South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams saved four penalties during the shootout against the Cape Verde Islands to catapult his country into the last four of the tournament after a 0-0 draw in their quarter-final on Saturday.

Our correspondent reports that Nigeria will take on South Africa on Wednesday in Bouake by 6 p.m. for a place in the 2023 AFCON final.