Due to stomach pains, Victor Osimhen (25) was doubtful for the semi-finals of the Africa Cup. On Tuesday evening, however, the Nigerian FA gave the all-clear
“This afternoon I will have a better idea of whether he can play or not,” Nigeria’s Portuguese coach José Peseiro said about Osimhen on Tuesday morning at the press conference ahead of the semi-final against South Africa.
In fact, the decision was made later in the day whether to field the striker, who had not traveled with the team to Bouaké on Monday due to stomach pains: Osimhen was given the green light by the medical department. “The lanky striker, who brings opponents to their knees with his tireless running and superb passing, was only cleared for the big game on Tuesday evening,” the Nigerian FA announced.
The Super Eagles’ big star completed the final tests with the team doctors on Tuesday afternoon and was back in training that evening.
Osimhen has been on the pitch for almost the entire distance in all five games at the Africa Cup so far. The Napoli attacker was substituted three times shortly before the final whistle – in the 88th minute on group matchday 2 and in the 90th minute in the round of 16 and quarter-finals. Although he only scored one goal, the attacker is hugely important for Nigeria due to his pressing and running work, among other things.
