Nigeria playing mind games with Bafana?

A massive game is upon us: Bafana vs Nigeria in the Afcon 2023 semi-finals on Wednesday at 19:00.

Is the Napoli striker Victor Osimhen going to miss the game? The answer was yes on Tuesday, but the player is now suddenly available.

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NIGERIA TO MISS VICTOR OSIMHEN AGAINST BAFANA BAFANA?

According to a report from the Nigeria medical team on Tuesday, Osimhen, with one goal and two assists in the tournament so far, suffered abdominal pain.

“Members of the team traveled from Abidjan to Bouaké today via a 10pm Air Cote D’Ivoire flight,” the note said.

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“Osimhen did not however make 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 5pm.”

OSIMHEN TRAINS ON TUESDAY NIGHT

Soon after the dramatic reports on Tuesday morning, Osimhen was spotted training with the Super Eagles yesterday evening.

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BAFANA BAFANA COACH HUGO BROOS TO ANALYSE NIGERIA

Speaking to the media after beating Morocco in the quarter-finals, coach Broos respects Nigeria but expects to find their weak points.

“I see they are a good team, they have a good striking [department]. There are also a few good players like [Ademola] Lookman, he’s a very good player,” the Bafana tactician said via FARPost.

“So, we have to analyse them a bit more. From tomorrow [Sunday], we start analysing. And we will see how we can use the weaknesses in this team but also they have a lot of qualities in that team.

“It’s for both teams, a little bit special because in a few months, we will play against each other in the World Cup qualifiers. So, it’s a test for both of us,” Broos concluded.

SAFETY WARNING

In the build-up to the game, the High Commission of Nigeria has sent a warning to its compatriots living in Mzansi.

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As confirmed last week, Nigeria defeated Angola 1-0 in the quarter-finals to seal a place in the last four.

Bafana followed with a 2-0 win over Morocco. The results confirmed a semifinal battle between South Africa and Nigeria on Wednesday at 19:00.

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Meanwhile, the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria has urged Nigerians to keep on the safe side before during and after the match.

Nigerians have been asked to avoid provocative behaviour before and after the match and carefully choose where to watch the game against Bafana.

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The message was released in a statement that was shared by Unplayable via X.

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The match will be live from the Stade Bouake on SABC 1 and SuperSport 202.

The last meeting between South Africa and Nigeria was at Afcon 2019, where the Super Eagles won 2-1.

Additionally, Bafana’s last Afcon semi-final involvement was a 2-0 loss to Nigeria in 2000.

You can find more articles from Siseko Gwegwe here.

Who will win on Wednesday? Let us know in the comments section below.

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