Napoli Declares Victor Osimhen Fit Ahead of Champions League Tie vs Barcelona

• Victor Osimhen will be in the Napoli squad to face Barcelona
• The Nigerian forward returned from the AFCON with fitness issues
• Napoli will host Barcelona on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League

Napoli has confirmed Victor Osimhen will be in contention to feature in their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg game versus Barcelona on Wednesday, February 21.

The 25-year-old forward was on the sidelines as the Serie A champions played to a 1-1 draw with Genoa on Saturday after returning late and with fitness issues from the Africa Cup of Nations.

According to Complete Sports, Napoli caretaker coach Francesco Calzona, disclosed that Osimhen participated in Napoli’s training session and should be fit to face Barcelona.

“Osimhen trained with the team. Naturally, it was not a long session, as we had many things to do, but he was working at full tempo. All the players will be evaluated after tomorrow’s session.”

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Osimhen hopes to open his goal account for Napoli in the Champions League this season after failing to score in his previous five appearances in the group phase.

Mazzarri blames Napoli sack on Osimhen

Meanwhile, Walter Mazzarri has admitted that Victor Osimhen could have saved his job as Napoli coach following his dismissal from the reigning Serie A champions on Monday, Punch reports.

Osimhen's injury, combined with his absence due to the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, limited his availability to the manager, and he played only eight games under Mazzarri.

Mazzarri became Napoli's second managerial casualty, barely three months after taking over from Rudi Garcia, as the team won just three of nine games under his watch.

PSG keen to sign Victor Osimhen

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to meet Napoli's release clause for Super Eagles attacker Victor Osimhen, whom they consider the ideal replacement for Kylian Mbappe.

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The 25-year-old attacker has been on the radar of several prominent European teams due to his performances for the Italian Serie A club and the Nigerian national team.

Osimhen has previous experience in the French Ligue 1, which gives him an advantage over other players considered to replace Mbappe at PSG.