The striker’s positive test for the virus has dealt a major blow to the Super Eagles’ preparations for the biannual African championship.
Victor Osimhen, a Nigerian international has tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
According to Napoli’s official website, the striker is asymptomatic and has commenced a period of self-isolation.
“Victor Osimhen has tested positive for Covid-19 but is asymptomatic, according to SSC Napoli. “Dr. Tartaro was scheduled to examine the player tomorrow,” the Serie A club said in a statement.
“As a result, local officials have ordered Osimhen to self-isolate, and the check-up will be rescheduled once he has tested negative and his isolation period has ended.”
This news will be a major setback for the Super Eagles’ preparations for Cameroon 2021, as the 23-year-old is slated to lead the three-time African champions’ attacking line.
He could miss the 2013 African champions’ first Group D matches against Egypt (January 11) and Sudan (January 15) at the Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua as a result of this.
Augustine Eguavoen named Osimhen in his 28-man squad for the 33rd edition of the African football showcase after the former Lille star overcame any doubts about his fitness.
“I will be available for Afcon at 100% unless I am not among the players picked to represent Nigeria,” he wrote on Twitter.
The Super Eagle was injured during the Parthenopeans’ 3-2 Serie A loss to Inter Milan at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on November 23, 2021.
He was unable to finish the game after colliding heads with defender Milan Skriniar and was replaced by Andrea Petagna four minutes before the hour mark.
In Napoli’s Serie A match against Inter Milan on November 21, Osimhen suffered a left cheekbone and orbital fracture. After that, the 22-year-old underwent successful but difficult surgery.
Despite this, after only 16 days on the sidelines, he returned to the team, exercising with a special carbon mask to protect his face.
The Lagos-born striker was instrumental in Nigeria’s qualification for both the Afcon and the Fifa World Cup play-offs in 2022.
Hopefully, these unprecedented hurdles will not taint his progress or jeopardize his current form as the SuperEagles star is at the best part of his career so far.
