Former Super Eagles Star Mobi Oparaku Reacts to Victor Osimhen Excusing Himself from Portugal Friendly

• Victor Osimhen opted out of the much-anticipated friendly match between Nigeria and Portugal
• The Nigerian international was named in the squad for the encounter, but he has withdrawn
• Mobi Oparaku, who was part of the Super Eagles squad that won Atlanta '96 gold, has blasted the youngster

A former Nigerian international, Mobi Oparaku, has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to sanction Napoli striker Victor Osimhen for withdrawing from the friendly match against Portugal.

Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro had named the 23-year-old striker in the 26-man shortlist for the friendly against the European nation slated for Thursday, November 17.

However, the NFF announced on Monday that the former Lille of France striker would no longer be available for the Grade A fixture.

Osimhen was immediately replaced by Cremonese striker Cyriel Dessers, while Olisa Ndah, who was also named in the initial list, has also been replaced by Chidozie Awaziem.

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen makes Serie A team of the week following hattrick vs Sassuolo

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In his reaction to Osimhen's withdrawal, former left-back Oparaku claimed that the striker deliberately opted out of the tie and should be sanctioned.

Oparaku told Brila FM, as per Complete Sports:

“This is sabotage. He wasn’t injured, I saw him at the weekend, and he was not substituted due to injury.

“Because it’s a friendly and we are not going to the World Cup he has come out to say he is not playing. This is sabotage he should be sanctioned."

Osimhen was in action and scored in Napoli's 3-2 win over Udinese during the weekend.

His last appearance for the Eagles was in the 10-0 win away to São Tomé and Principe in the AFCON qualifiers in June this year.

Ciro Ferrara applauds Osimhen

Meanwhile, former Italian defender Ciro Ferrara has stated that Victor Osimhen is good with aerial balls, adding that header is the striker's trademark.

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The Nigerian international has been in blistering form, scoring 'for free' in the Serie A, including a header in their 3-2 win over Udinese.

But Ferrara believes that the 23-year-old still has a lot to improve upon in a bid to help the Parthenopeans win the title this season.