Victor Osimhen AFCON Injury: Possible Replacements for Star Ahead of Nigeria vs South Africa Semi

• Victor Osimhen did not travel with Nigeria to Bouake due to reported abdominal discomfort
• Three players have been identified as possible replacements for the Super Eagles talisman
• Paul Onuachu has replaced Osimhen three times as a substitute in this edition of the AFCON

The road to the AFCON 2023 final has gotten a whole lot tougher for the Super Eagles.

Star striker, Victor Osimhen failed to join Nigeria's trip to Bouake on Monday, making him doubtful to start in their semi-final matchup against South Africa this coming Wednesday.

Here are three players who could replace Osimhen in the starting lineup against Bafana Bafana.

Possible replacements for Osimhen

Paul Onuachu

Replacing Osimhen in the lineup is no easy matter for Nigeria coach, Jose Peseiro. The striker has been a vital cog for the Super Eagles in this tournament, being involved in four of their six goals in this year's AFCON.

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If he can't recover in time for the game against South Africa, Peseiro more than likely would opt for Paul Onuachu to start in place of Osimhen.

He has been the only substitute so far for the Napoli forward in this tournament, replacing him in the games against Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and Angola.

Onuachu was called up late to Nigeria's AFCON squad after injuries ruled out Victor Boniface, Umar Sadiq, and Taiwo Awoniyi, per Soccernet.

He has scored nine goals in 15 league matches this season for Trabzonspor.

Kelechi Iheanacho

Kelechi Iheanacho is another forward who could start for Nigeria in place of Osimhen. He has scored five goals in 19 matches for Leicester City in the Championship this season, per Transfermarkt.

He has netted 13 goals in 47 matches for the Super Eagles. Iheanacho has yet to play in this year's AFCON.

Terem Moffi

Another striker who could replace Osimhen in the starting lineup against South Africa is Terem Moffi. He has scored six goals in 17 Ligue 1 appearances for OGC Nice this season.

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Moffi has bagged four goals in 14 matches for Nigeria since making his debut for the Super Eagles in 2021. He has yet to play a single minute in this tournament.

Fans react to Osimhen injury news

Sports Brief also recently reported on the widespread reactions to Victor Osimhen's injury.

Fans went into a state of panic after the Nigerian star didn't join the team's trip to Bouake.

Osimhen's absence from the Super Eagles journey stemmed from an abdominal issue.