Nigeria sweating over key injury doubt for AFCON final as coach gives Victor Osimhen verdict

Late decision to be made over Zaidu Sanusi availability
Marc Mayo10 February 2024

Nigeria are set to make a late decision on Zaidu Sanusi’s fitness for the Africa Cup of Nations final against Ivory Coast.

The left-back missed the Super Eagles’ semi-final victory over South Africa with a hamstring injury but is potentially in contention to feature on Sunday.

Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro told reporters: “He was partially involved in Friday training and we will check his condition again tonight before we make a decision.”

Having switched to a 3-4-3 formation midway through the group stage, Nigeria have only conceded two goals all tournament.

Sanusi had been an ever-present until the semi-final, when he was replaced by Bright Osayi-Samuel as Ola Aina switched to the left flank.

Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon are set to join Victor Osimhen in attack and Peseiro credited the Napoli striker for showing his credentials as a team player at AFCON.

Osimhen has only scored once in Ivory Coast, in their opening group game.

Peseiro said: "He doesn’t play like he is the star. He fights for the team and is completely unselfish.

"He knows he is an important player and he gives us the best energy. He has suffered a lot in this tournament with all the attention he receives from the opposing defenders because he knows it is a team game."

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