By Daniel Edu
OGC Nice striker, Terem Moffi, may miss the upcoming 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast due to a hamstring injury sustained before his club’s Ligue 1 game against Le Havre on Saturday. The Nigerian international was not included in the matchday squad, and the club confirmed the injury in a statement on their official page.
“Affected in the ischios, Terem Moffi does not appear on the match sheet, just like Teddy Boulhendi and Daouda Traoré,” the club reported.
Terem Moffi had been in excellent form, participating in all 15 of Nice’s league games this season before the injury setback. The extent of the injury is currently unknown, but it is unlikely that Moffi will return to training in the next three weeks, potentially jeopardizing his chances of participating in the 2023 AFCON scheduled to begin on January 13.
This development poses a significant blow to Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro, who has already lost Taiwo Awoniyi to a groin injury suffered during a friendly against Saudi Arabia in Portugal in October. Moffi was considered a strong contender for a spot in the provisional squad, and his absence would force Peseiro to consider alternatives.
With Moffi’s participation uncertain, Peseiro may turn to other options like Paul Onuachu, Gift Orban, Akor Adams, or Sadiq Umar to complement the existing squad, which includes Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface, pending any last-minute injuries.
