Earlier on Thursday, TheCable reported that the 22-year-old Napoli striker tested positive for COVID-19 for the second time in the year.

There have also been disagreements between Napoli and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over the match fitness of Osimhen, who was recently listed in Augustine Eguavoen’s 28-man AFCON squad.

The former Wolfsburg player is also still recovering from a facial injury he sustained during an Italian league game.
But a source close to the player told TheCable that Osimhen has informed Eguavoen to drop him from the squad going to Cameroon for the biennial tournament so he “could fully recover from the injury”.

Another source also said Osimhen opted out of the tournament to allow peace to reign between his club and the NFF.

“Osimhen has made a call to Eguavoen to pull out of the Nations Cup due to all the back and forth over his release for the tournament,” the source told TheCable.
“He is tired from all that’s been happening over his release for the AFCON.

“Yesterday, he was supposed to have left for his club to show his loyalty and to also play the Juventus match on January 6 but his PCR test came back positive.

“He feels devastated because since he came into Nigeria, he’s been keeping safe but now he tested positive. He has to recover first.”

Another source also told TheCable that the former Lille player pleaded with the Super Eagles interim coach, NFF president, and sports minister to allow him honour Napoli’s clash with Juventus before the AFCON.

“Osimhen left Napoli for Nigeria so as to discuss with Eguavoen, Pinnick and Sunday Dare to allow him play the Juventus match before coming for the AFCON,” the source added.
“The boy loves his nation and as well his club in Naples. So, he needs to let go of the AFCON for peace to reign. And for him to focus on his career.
“He is still young and will have so many opportunities to play other AFCON in the future.”
Osimhen was part of the 2019 bronze AFCON winning side in Egypt.

Source: https://www.thecable.ng/sources-osimhen-pulls-out-of-afcon-2021/amp

if its true,it will really be a setback for super eagles

Ok.

I wonder why people that come into Nigeria are more prone to catch covid than us that are in?

I'm sure we've been catching it but our immune just can't let it stay

Personally I don't think that the guy is fit for any match at the moment

chaaai...just too bad bt super eagles are blessed with abundance of talents n he can be replaced

All these players who swear loyalty and allegiance to their clubs should remember something. No European player will abandon Euros for the club.


You're a Nigerian first. You're good for your club as you perform optimally. Anything else and they will dump you

I knew Napoli won't let this boy participate at afcon wey title they on site?

Freestainworld:
Personally I don't think that the guy is fit for any match at the moment

God bless u for this bitter truth if he had gone to afcon be would be flop and probably sustain an injury that might cause him to miss the whole season and worldcup itself after all we still have afcon next year and is better be go to the afcon fit to announce is self to the world not going there lacking match fitness. I expect sadiq or ighalo to replace him perfectly

Even the Covid 19 result is suspect at this stage. His club is doing everything to keep him off Afcon. Many African players have this issue of club rejection of their to play in Afcon

D guy sef is prone to one issue or d other.