An Italian publication has slammed the inclusion of injured Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen in Nigeria’s squad for the final World Cup qualifying matches in November.
The 22-year-old, who is expected back in action for the Parthenopean’s Europa league trip to Legia Warsaw on Thursday, had suffered an injury in training ahead of Napoli’s Serie A clash at Salernitana over the weekend.
Osimhen has been arguably Napoli’s best player in all competitions this season, netting nine goals in 12 matches for the Neapolitans.
He was a joint-best (with Leicester City’s Patson Daka) five goals during the AFCON qualifiers to ensure Nigeria’s smooth passage to Cameroon 2022.
Owing to his brilliant form for both club and country, it was, therefore, not surprising when Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr named the leading goalscorer Osimhen in a 24-man list to prosecute the games against Liberia and Cape Verde.
But, Corriere Dello Sport, according to Tutto Napoli expressed its displeasure at the German tactician and his staff for refusing to “understand the current physical conditions of the Napoli centre forward.”
The Super Eagles tops Group C with nine points after four games and need to win at least one of the remaining two matches to secure a spot in the final round of the series.
Nigeria will do battle with Liberia, on November 13 and against Cape Verde on 16.
