Osimhen defies Napoli, departs for Afcon – report

The former Lille lad could be on a collision course with his Italian employers after leaving for Nigeria before a decisive medical checkup

A section of the Italian media reports that Victor Osimhen has departed Naples to team up with the Super Eagles ahead of preparations for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon next month.

It is unknown if Napoli gave Osimhen the approval to momentarily halt his rehabilitation process and make the trip back to his country of birth.

However, the 22-year-old has a scheduled checkup on Friday with doctors who have been working with him during the healing period that followed the surgery, which fixed the multiple fractures he suffered in late November.

Osimhen started individual training early in December and was once pictured after a session with a teammate. But he had not been given the medical clearance to join team training.

A specially designed face mask was provided for the Super Eagles striker to aid his integration into the group.

Osimhen, it was initially feared, would be out of action for ninety days, but the youngster made himself available for selection to the Super Eagles’ handlers nearly two months before that return date. He was subsequently named in the 28-man shortlist for Afcon 2021.

Nigeria’s leading goalscorer during the qualifiers, Osimhen is looking to lead the Super Eagles’ Afcon challenge in Cameroon.