December 03, (THEWILL) – Nigeria and Napoli forward Victor Osimhen may be able to return to training sooner than expected, giving the Super Eagles a big boost ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations set to commence next month and allowing Napoli hope to sustain Serie A lead.
THEWILL recalls that Osimhen collided with Milan Skriniar in Napoli’s Serie A match against Inter Milan at the San Siro on Sunday, November 21, that required the Nigerian to be given immediate medical attention on the turf for a while before he was assisted off the pitch by the club’s medics.
The 22-year-old was said to have suffered severe damages to his left cheekbone and eye socket.
As a result, the former Lille star had to undergo a successful but difficult surgical operation wherein surgeon Gianpaolo Tartaro, who carried out the procedure, noted that: “Osimhen’s injury was not just a simple fracture to the cheekbone, as it involved many other bones in his face. In order to repair the fractures, I had to insert six plaques and up to 18 screws.”
Following the surgery, Napoli stated that their star striker will be out for three months, with the direct implication being that Nigeria was going to be without one of her best forwards at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Fortunately, there is some good news, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, an Italian daily newspaper dedicated to the coverage of various sports. They claim that Osimhen could return to play sooner than expected.
The positive development comes as Osinhem’s stitches have already been removed with no observable repercussions. However, the striker is due to have another X-ray on Tuesday.
If the outcome is positive, Osimhen will be able to resume some form of training, but he will be required to have a protective mask on for the meanwhile.
Since his injury, Napoli has missed his goal-scoring and overall contribution beginning from the match against Inter where he suffered the unfortunate collision. In the very next tie, an away fixture against Spartak Moscow, Luciano Spalletti’s charges lost 2-1 with Victor Moses pulling the strings for the hosts.
Although they were able to come back from that with a 4-0 drubbing of Lazio in the Serie A, Napoli dropped two precious points against Sassuolo, which stopped them from opening a three-point gap at the summit of the table.
If Osimhen can return to active play with the form he began the season in, it will be beneficial to the Serie A leaders and keep their title-chasing credentials intact. It will also be a bonus for Nigeria as she chases another continental glory in Cameroon next year.
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.
