Osimhen worry for Nigeria following Napoli’s loss to Barcelona

The 23-year-old featured in the second leg of the Neapolitans Europa League Round of 32 clash against the Catalan giants, but he could be set for another spell on the sidelines 

Super Eagles coach Austin Eguavoen will be worried over the fitness of Victor Osimhen after the striker went off with a suspected injury in Napoli’s 4-2 loss to Barcelona last night.

Although Osimhen played for 73 minutes in the clash at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Thursday night, he walked off with a heavy strapping on his knee, raising speculations he might have picked up another injury.

Osimhen appears to have been nursing the injury since the first leg of the clash last week. The Nigerian international had a taping in the reverse fixture at the Camp Nou. At the same time, Spalletti also revealed he did not start against Cagliari on Monday because he was not fit enough.

It now appears he has aggravated the issue in the match against Xavi Hernandez’s men on Thursday. Napoli are yet to release a statement, but Osimhen’s fitness will be a big worry for Nigeria ahead of next month’s clash against Ghana.

The Super Eagles play their West African rivals in two massive World Cup playoff games and will need their star striker to boost their chances of qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar.

Osimhen’s potential absence will be a blow for Nigeria after he missed their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations campaign due to a facial injury.

The ex-Lille man only returned to competitive action last month after eight weeks on the sidelines.