Serie A

No injury! Real reason Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is set to miss Portugal friendly

The Napoli forward is Nigeria’s most valuable player in the world, with a career-high market value of €70 million

Contrary to claims by the Nigeria Football Federation, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is not suffering from any physical injury.

Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro had included Victor Osimhen in Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the international friendly with Portugal on Thursday, November 17.

But the NFF, in a statement released on Twitter on Monday, announced that Osimhen was injured and that Cremonese forward Cyriel Dessers had been called up as the 23-year-old’s replacement.

However, the Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport, in their Tuesday edition (via Tutto Napoli), reports that Osimhen has no physical problem.

The former Lille lad only snubbed the Portugal friendly to avoid taking risks that could endanger him in the friendly encounter.

Osimhen has been crucial to Napoli’s charge for a first Serie A title tilt in three decades, with the Nigerian forward scoring nine goals for the Neapolitans.

Meanwhile, Osimhen’s replacement Cyriel Dessers has arrived in the Nigerian camp ahead of the Portugal clash.

Dessers arrived alongside Omonia Nicosia goalkeeper Francis Uzoho bringing the number of players at Jose Peseiro’s disposal to 22.

Soccernet.ng had earlier reported the arrival of Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and Nantes winger Moses Simon in Portugal.

Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze is the only Super Eagles star still being expected in camp.

This post was last modified on November 15, 2022 11:41 am

Imhons Erons

Share
Published by
Imhons Erons

Recent Posts

17-year-old Nigeria-eligible defender pens professional deal with Chelsea

Teenage English sensation, Olutayo Peter Subuloye, has penned his first professional contrat with two-time UEFA… Read More

6 minutes ago

Raphael Onyedika: Club Brugge boss reveals why Super Eagles star was not selected for Union Saint-Gilloise draw

Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika was not dressed up for Club Brugge's league game against… Read More

13 minutes ago

WATCH: Lazio star Fisayo Dele-Bashiru dances in the face of racist insults in Lecce

Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru became the latest victim of racial abuse in football during Lazio’s… Read More

2 hours ago

“I am satisfied” – Home-based Super Eagles coach confident his side will seal CHAN spot

Head coach of the Super Eagles B team, Daniel Ogunmdede, has backed the home-based Nigerian… Read More

2 hours ago

“Every game is a battle” – Nigeria’s Lookman warns Lazio after firing Atalanta to Empoli win

Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman has warned Lazio to be ready for battle when the… Read More

3 hours ago

NPFL: Shooting Stars end ugly 20-year record against Rangers as Remo Stars, Abia Warriors record big wins

Matchday 18 games of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) were played across the country… Read More

5 hours ago