Ex- Super Eagles coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has insisted that Napoli’s medical team must certify striker Victor Osimhen fit for the Africa Cup of Nations, and not the player declaring himself fit to play at the tournament.
The AFCON is scheduled to start on January 9 to February 6 2022, in Cameroon.
Osimhen had been initially ruled out of the AFCON, scheduled for January 9 to February 6, 2022 in Cameroon, after he suffered multiple fractures in his face following a clash with Inter defender Milan Skriniar on November 21.
Despite initial suggestions that the striker would be out for 90 days after his surgery, Osimhen on Tuesday announced on Twitter that he would be available for the tournament, to the delight of fans.
“I will be available for AFCON unless I’m not among the players picked to represent Nigeria,” Osimhen tweeted.
Reacting to Osimhen’s recovery, Amuneke said it would be good to have the 22-year-old at the AFCON but warned of his safety.
“If he is available, that is good news, but we have to get the confirmation from his club doctor,” Amuneke told Nigeria Standard .
“A player cannot declare himself fit. But if he is fit that is good news for the team.”
Meanwhile, Roberto Ruggiero, the doctor who created Osimhen’s protective mask, also cautioned the striker over his eagerness to return to action.
“Osimhen is fine, highly motivated. If it depended on him he would be on the pitch already today. In my experience, when could he come back? It takes technical time to heal, usually 90 days. You need to have time for ossification. Let’s say we are half done now,” Ruggiero told Radio Marte during the “Marte Sport Live” broadcast.
