Osimhen Arrives in Nigeria Ahead AFCON 2023

Femi Solaja

SSC Napoli forward and 2023 African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen was yesterday reported by Italian outlet, TuttoNapolias having arrived Nigeria in anticipation of featuring in what will be his second Africa Cup of Nations appearance.

Osimhen made his AFCON debut at Egypt 2019 where he came in as a substitute for Odion Ighalo in the third placed match with Tunisia.

That game remains his only AFCON match as he did not feature in the next edition in Cameroon due to injury.

Although Nigerian players are supposed to gather in Abu Dhabi (UAE) early in the New Year, Osimhen reportedly headed for Nigeria to first join his family.

He left on Thursday after training and had also obtained permission from the Azzurri club.

Below is the statement from SSC Napoli: “At the end of today’s training, Osimhen was given a day’s leave so that he could join his family before leaving for the national team training camp. Recall that the former Lille man is suspended in the league and would have missed the match against Monza anyway.”

Meanwhile, former AC Milan and Napoli striker Massimo Agostini has stated that Osimhen is better than Roma star Romelu Lukaku and Inter Milan hitman Lautaro Martinez.

The Serie A is home to some of the best strikers in the world. Stars like Dusan Vlahovic, Lukaku, Martinez, Arkadiusz Milik, and Ciro Immobile ply their trades in the top flight.

However, Osimhen distinguished himself from the rest last season, scoring 26 goals to cart away the Capocannoniere and help Napoli win the Scudetto for the first time in 33 years.

Consequently, the Nigeria international has attracted interest from several top European clubs, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich all in the mix. However, Osimhen has opted to remain at Naples.

This season, Osimhen has yet to reach last season’s heights due to injuries and Napoli’s lack of form. However, whenever his supporting cast have been at their best, Osimhen has performed well.

Retired striker Agostini has been impressed with the 24-year-old striker, and he believes Osimhen is a top asset. To Agostini, the former Lille man is better than Martinez and Lukaku.

“If I had to choose one between Osimhen, Lautaro, and Lukaku, I would pick Osimhen. He has grown exponentially and has made great improvements. Unfortunately, he has had some problems, but I would pick him,” he pointed out to Tuttusport.com.

This season, Osimhen is one goal behind Lukaku and eighth goals behind Martinez on the Serie A goal scorers’ charts. And with potential departure for the Africa Cup of Nations, which will make him miss some games, it is unlike that he will win the Capocannoniere this season