AFCON 2023: Super Eagles star suffers food poisoning ahead of Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire clash – “I’m weak”

The two giants of African football will trade tackles on Thursday with a ticket to the knockout round of the competition at stake

Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel has revealed that he suffered food poisoning just a few hours before Nigeria take on hosts Côte d’Ivoire in their second Group A clash of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports. 

Osayi-Samuel was Nigeria’s most reliable right-back in 2023, featuring regularly and helping the Super Eagles qualify for the AFCON.

He started on the bench in the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, with head coach Jose Peseiro preferring Nottingham Forest star Ola Aina in the starting lineup.

Osayi-Samuel, however, impressed when he replaced Aina in the second half of that encounter, and the Fenerbahce star would have been looking forward to making his full AFCON debut against Côte d’Ivoire on Thursday.

His participation from the start is now in doubt after he revealed to reporters that he had experienced food poisoning that had made him weak.

However, in a video captured by Brila FM, the former QPR winger assured fans that he expects to be fine and stronger for the highly-anticipated meeting with Côte d’Ivoire.

“I got food poisoning. Today, I’m a bit weak, but I should be okay,” Osayi-Samuel said.

The Super Eagles have battled with a long list of players who have had issues with their health ahead of the 2023 AFCON and will hope that Osayi-Samuel does not join that roster.

Injury ruled out Taiwo Awoniyi, Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Boniface, and Umar Sadiq from participating in the continental championship.