January 02, (THEWILL) – Augustine Eguavoen, the Super Eagles’ interim head coach, has confirmed that Victor Osimhen withdrew from the impending TotalEnergies 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) due to health concerns.
THEWILL recalls that the 23-year-old Napoli player was invited to join the Nigeria squad for the African continental competition, but he had to be replaced before the Group D clashes began in the Cameroonian city of Garoua.
Osinhem’s rehabilitation from facial surgery was cut short after Napoli’s medical staff devised a face mask to keep the effects of the knock he took in their loss to Inter Milan from worsening. This enabled the striker to announce himself fit and ready for the AFCON on Twitter.
However, Osimhen withdrew from the AFCON squad last week after Napoli announced that the Nigerian hitman had tested positive for COVID-19. Eguavoen has now confirmed that Osimhen withdrew from the Nations Cup due to health concerns.
“Osimhen, it’s a pity that he will not be at the AFCON. He told me practically and pleaded with me, and I saw reasons,” Eguavoen admitted.
“I tried for hours to convince him, but his health comes first, which is my concern. When he spoke with me, he was disappointed, and he told me he was not OK. And did not want to go to the AFCON not fully 100 per cent fit.
“I gave him a few hours and called him back to see whether he will change his mind, and he told me he will be going for evaluation on his face on January 4 and 5 before doctors can make a final decision. With that injury, you have to consider his health. It’s a tough one.”
Nonetheless, Napoli could see the Nigerian star return to action on January 16th, when Luciano Spalletti’s Serie A side face Bologna in the Italian top flight.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
