Super Eagles talismanic striker Victor Osimhen has pledged his commitment to feature for Nigeria at next month’s Africa Cup of Nations should be listed by the coach Augustine Eguavoen-led technical crew.
The 22-year-old Napoli striker last month suffered a left cheekbone and orbital fracture in Napoli’s Serie A clash against Inter but underwent a successful but complicated surgery afterwards.
He was expected to be out of action for 90 days but returned to light training on December 8 with words rife that his Italian club might not release him for the AFCON.
But the Nation’s 2021 Sport Personality of the Year award winner yesterday reiterated his commitment to the Super Eagles.
“I will be available for AFCON unless if am not among the players picked to represent Nigeria,” Osimhen noted yesterday on his verified twitter handle.
Super Eagles caretaker coach Eguavoen had hinted in his first comprehensive interview since his appointment that only Napoli can stop the players from turning out for Nigeria at the AFCON.
But the player’s expression of his desire is reassuring as Nigeria bids for her fourth continental title in Cameroon.
The 2015 CAF Youth Player of the Year was Super Eagles leading scorer in the AFCON qualifiers with five goals; and this will be his second AFCON after he played second fiddle to Odion Ighalo at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.
Meanwhile, Osimhen has finally worn his protective face mask that will allow him to resume full training at Napoli, reports scorenigeria.com.ng.
It’s a temporary polycarbonate mask to protect him from direct physical contact after the surgery he recently underwent for facial fractures.
Initial reports were that the all-action striker did not want to wear this mask.
Reports now suggest he will be back in action in a month, which will effectively rule him out of the group stage of the AFCON in Cameroon