Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen will participate in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) despite Napoli threatening to take a legal action against the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).
Osimhen underwent surgery on his cheekbone and eye socket on 23 November, having sustained fractures in the 3-2 defeat by Inter Milan two days earlier.
His participation at the tournament had looked in doubt after he was said to be out for three months. But, the striker upon his return to training last week, declared himself fit to play in the biennial showpiece.
Napoli chief De Laurentiis had stated his readiness to protect the striker with the legal aid of the lawyer Enrico Lubrano, who will have to provide evidence that Osimhen is unable to play during the AFCON and shortening the time would be a risk to the attacker’s health.
In what appears to be a club versus country row, Interim Super Eagles Manager, Austin Eguavoen has included the former Wolfsburg star in his 28-man preliminary squad for the continental showpiece.
There are other prominent inclusions like former Manchester United forward, Odion Ighalo and Everton’s Alex Iwobi.
Villarreal star Samuel Chukwueze, Captain Ahmed Musa and the duo of Leon Balogun and William Troost-Ekong made the cut alongside Francis Uzoho as well as Torino’s Ola Aina.
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); John Noble (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Paderborn 07, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)
Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Kelechi Nwakali (SD Huesca, Spain)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain); Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin, Germany); Odion Jude Ighalo (Al-Shabab Riyadh, Saudi Arabia); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Emmanuel Dennis (Watford FC, England)
