Victor Osimhen has only just returned to Napoli training but has become a major topic of discussion as the Partenopei and the Nigeria Football Federation are set for a battle over the player’s availability for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
The Nigeria international suffered a fractured cheekbone in Napoli’s 3-2 loss to champions Inter Milan at the San Siro after colliding with Inter defender Milan Skriniar on November 21.
He was taken to the hospital immediately after leaving the pitch and was discharged a day after being diagnosed with an orbital and cheekbone injury before he underwent surgery.
Napoli on their website confirmed that the surgery was successful but added that the striker would need three months to recover, a situation that had automatically ruled him out of the AFCON.
The news came as a big blow to the NFF and football fans in the country.
Exactly 15 days after undergoing cheekbone surgery, Osimhen returned to training and Napoli on their social media posted a picture and short video of the striker taking part in individual training.
The news serves as a huge boost for Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, and according to several reports in Italy, NFF are pushing for the 22-year-old’s presence at the AFCON.
The report added that they wanted him to be part of the Super Eagles camp which opens in late December so that they can analyse his condition.
Rohr gets Osimhen boost ahead AFCON
However, Tuttomercato web and Il Mattino reported that Napoli were not comfortable with the NFF’s request and have opted to invite the Nigerian medical team to assess Osimhen in Naples.
“Nigeria are now readying their own medical professionals for a trip to Naples in order to assess Osimhen’s chances of taking part,” Il Mattino wrote.
“Napoli are said to believe that the forward will be sidelined for another two months, thus missing out for Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations – running from January 9 to February 6 – whereas Nigeria are determined to have their man present.”
SOURCE : Punch
