Nigeria’s Osimhen Doubtful, for match with Underdogs South africa. Nigeria will face South Africa in their Africa Cup of Nations semifinal match without star striker Victor Osimhen, who is suffering from an abdominal issue. In a statement, the team confirmed that Osimhen would stay behind in Abidjan until cleared by team medics. It is unclear what the abdominal discomfort is or what might have caused it, although the forward did look jaded when he was taken off late in the quarterfinal win over Angola.

Losing Osimhen, who has been involved in four of Nigeria’s six goals so far in the tournament, would be a significant blow to Nigeria, whose attack has centered around the striker’s high press and energetic movement. Coach Jose Peseiro has options in Kelechi Iheanacho, Paul Onuachu, and Terem Moffi if Osimhen cannot play. Onuachu has been the only substitute so far for Osimhen this tournament, while Iheanacho and Moffi are yet to get any minutes.

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SOUTH AFRICA

Meanwhile, South Africa’s veteran coach Hugo Broos has proven to have the Midas touch when it comes to the Africa Cup of Nations. Broos won the continental title with Cameroon in 2017, taking a side given little chance to the winners’ podium, and has seen his South African team reach the semifinals in this year’s tournament after eliminating Morocco and edging out Cape Verde in a penalty shootout. Broos’ Cup of Nations record now stands at five wins and five draws with a single loss in 11 games over the two editions.

South Africa will undoubtedly be the underdogs against Nigeria, but Broos believes in his team and the players’ belief in themselves. After the match against Cape Verde, Broos said, “Reaching the semifinals is great for South African football which has struggled in recent years.” The match between Nigeria and South Africa will take place in Bouake on Wednesday.

-Afrogazette-