NFF Awaits Napoli Doctor’s Final Words on Osimhen’s AFCON Appearance

Femi Solaja with agency report

With barely 24 days to the start of the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials are fervently waiting for the final word from Napoli doctors on whether injured forward, Victor Osimhen, will be fit enough to join the Super Eagles.

The Super Eagles forward injured his cheekbone and eye socket during a Sunday Italian topflight fixture with AC Milan and was promptly operated 24 hours later.

Yesterday, Tutto Napoli.netquoting Italian tabloid, La Gazzetta, said that theNigerian forward has resumed training alongside Senegalese International, Kalidou Koulibaly thus raising the hope of their availability in this Sunday’s Serie A match against leaders’ AC Milan at the San Siro stadium.

Fans are eager for the return of the injured duo to turn the fortune of the Naples side around since they surrendered the leadership last month but the report in the Italian medium however indicated that the Senegalese who is closer to fitness may start from the bench this Sunday if the club doctors deem him match fit and can go all out.

However, in the case of Osimhen, reports in the media indicate that since he resumed with light training nine days ago, the Nigerian is determined to get into full scale fitness and play in subsequent matches.

“Even if both show sign of recovery, Koulibaly could travel with the team on Sunday and start from the bench but with muscle experience teaches that it is better to go cautious and in the case of Osimhen, although he always train with greater intensity, he will still need to get the doctors’ okay to wear the carbon and Kevlar mask,” Gazzetta dello Sportindicated yesterday.

The report however said the duo could return early next year and thus gave something to cheer in the Nigerian camp that will want the reliable striker to be part of the tournament.

“The players’ return could be delayed till January especially the attacker (Osimhen) who is increasing the workload on the pitch but who still does not have okay from the doctors to wear the carborn and keylar mask that will allow him to try to play matches and make contracts.

“Both could return in early 2022 in time for the African Cup of Nations but not for the Azzurri who risk seeing him again only at the end of February,” the Italian tabloid noted.

With former captain and coach of the team, Austin Eguavoen, back to the team, it is likely that his provisional team list will be out in the next couple of days but no one is sure if it is wise to risk the inclusion of Osimhen on the list with availability still in doubt.

Super Eagles are aiming to better their third-place finish at the last edition in Egypt in 2019.