I am available for AFCON, Osimhen tells Eguavoen

Napoli Striker, Victor Osimhen, who was feared would likely miss the forthcoming African Cup of Nations in Cameroun following an injury he copped while on club duty, has assured Super Eagles’ Interim Coach, Austin Eguavoen, that he would be ready for the competition.

The African Cup of Nations will kickoff in Yaoundé on January 9, 2022.

Osimhen suffered facial injuries in a Serie A game between Napoli and Inter Milan in November and was Napoli feared he would need at least three months to recover from surgery. That prognosis put paid to any ambition he held of featuring at the competition in Cameroun.

But the 22-year-old striker dispelled such thoughts yesterday when he tweeted that he would be available for selection if needed by the coaches. Osimhen had earlier started training late last month.

“Thankful to God. I sincerely appreciate those who reached out to me, God bless you and yours. No time to dwell on past transgressions, looking forward to the greater things ahead. God is the greatest, we move.

“I will be available for AFCON unless if am not among the players picked to represent Nigeria,” Osimhen tweeted yesterday.

Osimhen has been Super Eagles’ top striker since 2020, leading the team to the final round of the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifying series and qualification to the Cameroun 2022 African Cup of Nations.

With Paul Onuachu’s availability doubtful following an injury he copped at the weekend, Osimhen’s quick recovery is a big boost to Eguavoen’s plans for the AFCON.

Nigeria begins is in Group D at the African Cup of Nations and begins its campaign Egypt on January 11 in Garoua before taking on Sudan four days later and Guinea-Bissau on January 19.