Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos on Victor Osimhen's absence: 'That's Finidi's problem'

South Africa coach Hugo Broos has insisted that he is not worried about Victor Osimhen's absence for the matchday three 2026 World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Friday evening.

Osimhen was initially named among the twenty-three players summoned for the Super Eagles' double-header in June but later withdrew from the roster, citing injury, despite featuring in Napoli's final game of the 2023-2024 season. 

The reigning African Footballer of the Year was struggling to overcome a muscle injury in the last few week of the campaign and it was thought that he was in contention to participate in the World Cup qualifiers after his appearance against Lecce on the final day of the season. 

The Nigeria Football Federation's announcement nine days ago that Osimhen was ruled out of the qualifiers due to injury and would be replaced by Enugu Rangers fullback Kenneth Igboke came as a surprise to nearly everyone.

At the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, after an opening forty-five minutes that failed to yield a goal, it was Osimhen's tenacity that forced a penalty converted by William Troost-Ekong in the 67th minute. 

When asked if Osimhen's absence makes his life a bit easier, Broos said at Friday's pre-match press conference: "That's a problem for the coach of Nigeria (Finidi), it's not my problem".

There were doubts over the fitness of Bafana Bafana players Khuliso Mudau, Teboho Mokoena, Aubrey Modiba, Bathusi Aubaas and Ronwen Williams before the squad traveled to Uyo. 

The aforementioned South Africa players have been given a clean bill of health for tomorrow's fixture, according to Broos. 

"Life is never easy. The AFCON game was very good for us. We played a very good game but the game is finished. Tomorrow is another game so you can just think about it and know that there are things possible.

"About some injuries we had, everyone is one hundred percent fit so we don't have a problem tomorrow."

Osimhen also missed Nigeria's draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe in November 2023 due to a hamstring injury. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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