With just a few hours remaining before the Super Eagles’ crucial second Group A match against hosts Côte d’Ivoire, right-back Bright Osayi-Samuel has revealed he has been struck with food poisoning.
According to Soccernet.ng, the Fenerbahçe star, though feeling weak, remains optimistic about his fitness for the highly anticipated encounter later on Thursday.
“I got food poisoning,” Osayi-Samuel confirmed in a short video captured by Brila FM. “Today, I’m a bit weak, but I should be okay.”
Osayi-Samuel served as Nigeria’s most reliable right-back in 2023, featuring regularly and contributing to the Super Eagles’ AFCON qualification.
He began on the bench in the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, as head coach José Peseiro opted for Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina in the starting lineup.
Despite this, Osayi-Samuel impressed after replacing Aina in the second half, and the Fenerbahçe star likely anticipated making his full AFCON debut against Côte d’Ivoire on Thursday.
His participation from the start is now uncertain following his disclosure of food poisoning, which has left him feeling weak.
The Super Eagles have been plagued by a multitude of player health concerns leading into the 2023 AFCON, and they will hope Osayi-Samuel does not join that unfortunate list.
