Alarm bells are ringing for the Super Eagles as star defender Bright Osayi-Samuel revealed suffering from food poisoning just a day before their crucial Group A clash against Cote d’Ivoire at the 2023 AFCON.
Osayi-Samuel, a mainstay in Nigeria’s qualifying campaign and a reliable right-back throughout 2023, started on the bench against Equatorial Guinea, with coach Jose Peseiro preferring Ola Aina, Footballrover reports.
However, his spirited second-half performance after replacing Aina showcased his ability to contribute significantly.
With eyes set on making his full AFCON debut against the Ivorians, a spanner has been thrown into the works.
The Fenerbahce star confirmed battling food poisoning, leaving his participation in Thursday’s match hanging in the balance.
“I got food poisoning,” Osayi-Samuel admitted to reporters, expressing hope with a cautious, “Today, I’m a bit weak, but I should be okay.”
The Super Eagles are already facing pressure after their opening 1-1 draw; can they afford to lose such a dependable defender against a formidable Cote d’Ivoire side?
Coach Peseiro will anxiously monitor Osayi-Samuel’s recovery in the coming hours, with all hopes pinned on his availability for the crucial encounter.
Meanwhile, the coach has also confirmed that Alhassan Yusuf will not be available for today’s clash against Ivory Coast through injury.
Will the Super Eagles overcome this unexpected hurdles and soar against their archrivals?
The answer to that question will be written on the pitch later today, but one thing’s for sure: the Eagles’ fight for AFCON glory is vital against the tournament hosts.
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