Sport

AFCON 2021: Good news for Nigeria Super Eagles as Osimhen returns

Nigeria’s striker, Victor Osimhen has recovered from coronavirus.

His club, Napoli, made this known on Sunday via their Twitter handle.

His recovery is coming two days to Nigeria’s first game at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.

The prolific striker had been ruled out of the competition before his recovery from COVID-19 due to injury.

“Victor is negative for COVID and will return to Italy in the coming hours,” the club wrote on Twitter.

The 23-year-old, who is still recovering from surgery after suffering a smashed cheekbone against Inter Milan in late November, was tested before travelling to Italy for a check-up on Friday.

Osimhen also tested positive for COVID-19 last year’s January after returning from Christmas holidays in Nigeria.

His participation in AFCON had been a subject of controversy between Nigeria Football Federation and his club, Napoli.

Nigeria later succumbed to dropping Osihmen for AFCON, replacing him with Henry Onyekuru.

Announcing the decision to drop Osimhen, NFF said in a statement, “Lively forward Victor Osimhen’s positive test to the coronavirus pandemic a couple of days ago and injury to the versatile Abdullahi Shehu have constrained changes to Nigeria’s final 28-man list for the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations starting in Cameroon next weekend.

“Osimhen’s absence paves way for Greece-based Henry Onyekuru who was also at the last finals in Egypt. In-form rapid raider Emmanuel Dennis, whose English Premiership club is baring fangs, has been excused to provide room for Czech Republic-based forward Peter Olayinka.”

His participation in AFCON had been a subject of controversy between Nigeria Football Federation and his club, Napoli.

Nigeria later succumbed to dropping Osihmen for AFCON, replacing him with Henry Onyekuru.

Announcing the decision to drop Osimhen, NFF said in a statement, “Lively forward Victor Osimhen’s positive test to the coronavirus pandemic a couple of days ago and injury to the versatile Abdullahi Shehu have constrained changes to Nigeria’s final 28-man list for the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations starting in Cameroon next weekend.

“Osimhen’s absence paves way for Greece-based Henry Onyekuru who was also at the last finals in Egypt. In-form rapid raider Emmanuel Dennis, whose English Premiership club is baring fangs, has been excused to provide room for Czech Republic-based forward Peter Olayinka.”

Treasure Orokpo

A multi-talented individual with a passion for diverse fields, Treasure Orokpo is a trained journalist, skilled cook, and AI enthusiast. When she's not uncovering the latest stories, you can find her whipping up culinary creations in the kitchen and entertainment.

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