Blow for Peseiro? Terem Moffi suffers hamstring injury four weeks away from AFCON

The Africa Cup of Nations is just four weeks away, and Moffi will be hoping that he recovers quickly 

Super Eagles striker Terem Moffi has sustained a hamstring injury just four weeks away from the start of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, Soccernet.ng reports.

Moffi has been an important player for Nice this season. The 24-year-old hitman started in all 15 Ligue 1 games for Nice, and he has four goals coupled with two assists.

The former Lorient man was on course for his 16th start of the season on Saturday, when Nice traveled to Le Havre. Unfortunately for him, he sustained a hamstring injury hours before the game according to a tweet by OGC Nice. Eventually, Nice lost the game 3-1.

Touché aux ischios, Terem Moffi ne figure pas sur la feuille de match, tout comme Teddy Boulhendi et Daouda Traoré.#HACOGCN #OGCNice pic.twitter.com/N8vK2TaHrU

— OGC Nice (@ogcnice) December 16, 2023

Moffi’s injury has also come at a crucial time, as the AFCON is set to kick-off on January 13. He is one of the regulars in the team, and is almost sure of a spot in the African showpiece next year. But this injury seems to be the spanner in his works.

Can Moffi play at the AFCON?

The injury is a big blow for Moffi and the Super Eagles. Nice are yet ro reveal the severity of the injury. In most cases hamstrings need three-eight weeks to heal.

If Moffi has a normal hamstring injury he would need at least four weeks to heal. By that time, Peseiro would have selected his squad for the competition. So, except a miracle happens, it is unlikely that Moffi will return to action before the start of the AFCON.

Who will replace Moffi?

Taiwo Awoniyi has already been ruled out of the competition because of a groin injury. So, this new development puts Peseiro in a difficult situation. Meanwhile, he will be hoping that Napoli star Victor Osimhen remains fit because an injury to him would affect Nigeria’s chances.

The Portuguese tactician may have to look at Gift Orban, Paul Onuachu, or Akor Adams. Sadiq Umar’s place in the squad already seems sealed. So, Peseiro has a big decision in his hands.