Super Eagles receive a big boost ahead of AFCON that kicks off on January 9.
Reports suggest that Victor Osimhen would be fit and ready to play before the commencement of the competition.
Even as the Micron variant of COVID-19 continues to ravage Europe, preparations for the African Cup of Nations coming up in Cameroon in January continues to heat up.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has resisted the urge to call off the tournament amid preparations reaching a fever pitch.
Nigeria on Sunday took a bold step towards ensuring that the Super Eagles make a good showing at the competition by sacking its manager Gernot Rohr. According to the NFF president Amaju Pinnick, Rohr was relieved of his duties to curb the alleged indiscipline making the rounds in the team.
Many Nigerians are pleased with the sack as the Super Eagles looked lacklustre in their last couple of games. They can now look forward to a more enterprising team as Eguavoen prepares the team for the tournament.
The former Super Eagles defender received favourable news as preparations continued. Reports suggest that Victor Osimhen, sidelined with an injury, would be ready for AFCON. It comes as a massive boost for the Super Eagles manager.
Osimhen health status, a big boost for Super Eagles
Victor Osimhen was knocked out of contention for a spot in the team after suffering an injury in Napoli’s 3-2 loss to Inter Milan on November 21.
The latest update on the player suggests that Victor Osimhen would be ready for Nigeria’s campaign at the African Cup of Nations. The news comes as a massive boost for the Super Eagles interim coach Augustine Eguavoen, who had been pondering how to replace the Napoli striker.
Osimhen is one name that is undoubtedly on the 40-man list. With the competition less than four weeks away, Osimhen would need to get a couple of games under his belt to regain full match fitness. It is good news to hear that the Super Eagles most potent striker would be ready when the competition starts.
A prognosis proved wrong
On November 21, Napoli fell to Inter Milan 3-2, with Osimhen falling to an injury. The Nigerian star suffered a cheekbone and orbital fracture after a collision of heads with Inter’s Milan Skriniar. Osimhen went through a complicated but successful surgery.
The prognosis of the surgery suggested that Osimhen would be out for three months. It meant that he would be out of the AFCON, which begins on January 9.
Osimhen has, in a twist, made a quick return ahead of schedule and has been in individual training. Initial reports suggested that he could be in line for a return to action against AC Milan this weekend, but that seems to be a bridge too far.
Paolobargiggia reports that Napoli hopes Osimhen would recover in time to play against Juventus on January 6. If he makes that date, he will play with a protective mask.
Eguavoen, who recently replaced Gernot Rohr, would be counting on Osimhen. The Super Eagles play their first match against Egypt on January 11.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago
