Nigerians jubilant as Osimhen is cleared for South Africa clash
By Emma Ogbuehi
Many Nigerians were jubilant on Tuesday after the news filtered out that ailing Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, has been cleared by the team’s medical staff for Wednesday’s semi-final clash against South Africa.
TheNiche had earlier reported that the Super Eagles travelled on Monday evening from Abidjan to Bouaké without their star striker Victor Osimhen as a result of abdominal discomfort.
The team’s media officer, Babafemi Raji, who confirmed the incident, said the team doctors had placed him under close watch with a member of the medical team staying behind in Abidjan with him.
The Eagles departed their base in Abidjan for Bouake on Monday after defeating Angola 1-0 in the quarter-final.
The team left their hotel at around 8:13 pm (local time) without Osimhen. Raji explained that, “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.”.
But sources in Abidjan confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that the reigning king of African football will now join his teammates in Bouake after being declared fit.
The Napoli striker has been an important part of the Super Eagles’ superb AFCON run so far starting all five matches in Côte d’Ivoire.
The Super Eagles defeated the Palancas Negras of Angola 1-0 at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan last 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 match on Saturday.
Nigeria will take on South Africa on Wednesday in Bouake by 6 pm for a place in the 2023 AFCON final.