AFCON 2023: Alhassan Yusuf out, Victor Osimhen in Nigeria clash for Ivory Coast

Head coach of Nigeria, Jose Peseiro has given account of players in camp with Victor Osimhen and Alhassan Yusuf among the injury concerns as the Super Eagles gear up for their second game in Group A on Thursday.

The Super Eagles will face off against the host nation, Cote d’Ivoire on 18th of January, at the Alassane Ouattara tadium.

Osimhen was a notable omission during the team’s training after their opening clash against Equatorial Guinea and Peseiro affirmed that the CAF 2023 Best Player Of The Year would be available to play against Côte d’Ivoire.

On the other hand, Peseiro expressed uncertainty about Royale Antwerp defensive midfielder Alhassan Yusuf, who sustained a knock that saw him stretched off the pitch against Equatorial Guinea.

Meanwhile, rumours are suggesting that IFK Göteborg star might be ruled out for the rest of the AFCON tournament due to the injury picked from the opening match.

“Osimhen, in the last camp against Portugal, for the friendly match against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique, Osimhen’s injury was bad for him, was bad for Naples, was bad for us [Nigeria],” Peseiro told media.

“He told me {Wednesday-yesterday}, ‘Mr, I feel a slight pain in this place where I was previously injured’. I think I prefer him not to do anything now than to end up going for an operation like the last time.

“But Yusuf, he left the match, he is injured, he is doing the scan now [at that time]. To know what has happened to him. I hope nothing bad has happened.”