Tension as Napoli threaten legal action against Victor Osimhen from AFCON participation

• Napoli are preparing to take legal action against Nigeria if they a hand call-up to Victor Osimhen ahead of the 2021 AFCON
• Napoli are set to lose key player Victor Osimhen for the January tournament
• Osimhen has declared himself fit to play next month's AFCON despite suffering a horrific facial injury while playing for Napoli last month

Nigeria’s chances of having top striker Victor Osimhen available for next year’s African Cup of Nations is now in serious doubt as Napoli has threatened to take legal actions if the striker is called up for the tournament in Cameroon according to Punch.

Osimhen who is still recovering from a horrific head injury after fracturing his cheekbone in a nasty clash of heads with Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar has declared himself fit for the AFCON as he returned to training last week.

However, Napoli lawyer Mattia Grassani has stated that action could be taken in regards to exempting European based players from the tournament due to the increase in positive Covid-19 test results around the world following the emergence of the Omicron variant Daily Mail reports.

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'his competition takes away important resources from the clubs. This is a particular historical moment, it would be different if there was 99 per cent security and the situation was clear.

'Napoli] have invested a lot of money in signing Victor Osimhen and if he were to come back infected it would be tough.

'he first step would be a warning [to prevent a call up] then if there were concrete elements to sue because the health standards are not the same as in European competitions, then there could be more appeals to gain an exemption for Europe-based players.'

Cameroon reportedly has about just five per cent of its population vaccinated, leaving clubs concerned over the health of any players from Europe who may travel there.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe and Cameroonian FA President Samuel Eto’o have both affirmed the AFCON will go ahead as planned despite speculations suggesting for a postponement of the competition.

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The AFCON is billed to start on January 9 with the final slated for February 6.

Premier League Stars Nicolas Pepe, Wilfried Zaha Named As Ivory Coast Release Squad for AFCON

Earlier Sportsbrief reported Ivory Coast have named the country’s provisional 28-player squad for the Africa Cup of Nations next month.

Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha, Manchester United defender Eric Bailly and Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe are some of the notable names that will represent the Elephants at the tournament.

Ivory Coast have been drawn into Group E alongside holders Algeria, as well as Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone.