NFF discloses stunning and urgent update on Victor Osimhen's availability for AFCON
FootballNapoli Confirm Super Eagles Striker Victor Osimhen Has Recovered From COVID-19
- Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has recovered from Covid-19 and is on his way back to Italy from Nigeria
- His recovering from COVID-19 comes just two days before Nigeria’s first game at AFCON against Egypt
- Osimhen is now in line to make a return to Napoli's side but after his facial injury he sustained against Inter Milan has been examined
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has recovered from the coronavirus, a statement issued by his club Napoli has revealed.
The 23-year-old is now expected to return to Italy to undergo a check-up for the surgery on his face after the facial injury he sustained in the match against Inter in November last year.
Osimhen who will not take part in the African Cup, is now in line to make a return to Napoli's side after his injury has been examined.
Meanwhile, Napoli manager Spalletti will not be on the dugout when his side faces Sampdoria on Sunday, January 9, after testing positive to Covid.
Spalletti was not on the bench for Napoli's big Serie A game against Juventus which ended in a stalemate.
Eguavoen says Osimhen and Dennis absence from AFCON team is a big miss for Nigeria
Earlier, Sportsbrief had reported that Super Eagles interim coach Augustine Eguavoen has described Victor Osimhen and Emmanuel Dennis' absence from Nigeria’s squad for AFCON 2021 as a big miss.
While Osimhen was dropped owing to injury concerns and having contracted Covid-19, Dennis, who has been in good form, could not make the team’s camp after he was allegedly denied permission by Watford.
This forced Eguavoen to make changes in his final 28-man squad with Olympiacos’ Henry Onyekuru and Slavia Prague’s Peter Olayinka summoned to take replace Osimhen and Dennis.
Nigeria also suffered setbacks in the defense as both Leon Balogun and Shehu Abdullahi picked up injuries and were replaced by West Bromwich Albion's Semi Ajayi and Venezia’s Tyronne Ebuehi.
As Nigeria get ready to face Egypt in their first game at the competition, Eguavoen hinted at a potential formation switch during the tournament due to the absence of key players.