Victor Osimhen lost his facemask while on international duty with Nigeria Super Eagles this March.
Osimhen was called up by Portugal-born tactician and Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro for Nigeria’s double header AFCON qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau.
Victor Osimhen started both matches for the Super Eagles but failed to find the back of the net.
Nigeria lost the first leg at home to Guinea-Bissaau by a lone goal before traveling to Estadio 24 de Septembro to avenge the defeat by a similar scoreline.
Victor Osimhen returned to Napoli after the international break without his protective gear.
According to reports, the Nigeria international has lost the protective gear while on duty with the Super Eagles.
This means the Serie A top scorer will face AC Milan on Sunday without the facemask – the first time he will do so since beginning to use the mask in 2022.
How did Victor Osimhen get his protective gear?
On 21 November 2021, Victor Osimhen crashed into Skriniar in a high-profile Serie A clash against Inter Milan.
He nearly lost his eye in the crash. After surgical operation, a facemask was improvised for Victor to protect his fragile facial frame while he continue playing for Napoli.
Victor Osimhen has worn the facemask in Serie A games and other competitive actions for Napoli.
When he scores, he occasionally whips it off to celebrate his goal.
There are reports Napoli is making plans to fetch another protective gear for Victor Osimhen as soon as possible but it will not be possible to do so before the game against AC Milan.
The Nigeria international will take on AC Milan without the mask. There are reports of some fans who have joked Victor Osimhen has lost his magic wand and will not be as prolific as before due to the lost mask.
Osimhen has been a wonder in Serie A this season. He has scored 21 Serie A goals for Napoli and is top of the highest scorers chart.
Napoli has been deemed as 2022/23 runaway Serie A winners after opening an astonishing 19-point gap on top of the Serie A with few games remaining to the end of the season.
Napoli’s incredible Serie A run has been attributed to Victor Osimhen’s overwhelming display so far this season.
Osimhen has attracted interest from Premier League clubs due to his five-star performance for Napoli.
Manchester United are leading the race to sign the 24-year-old at the end of the summer and are reportedly ready to break the bank to land the Napoli forward.
However, the Red Devils have to wrestle with Chelsea who are also eyeing a move for Osimhen at the end of the summer.
In all competitions this season, Victor Osimhen has scored 25 goals in 29 games for Napoli, including 5 assists.
