Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has a strong desire to play for Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations next month but he won’t be allowed to step onto the pitch unless the doctors give him the green light after a check-up scheduled for the last day of 2021.Osimhen suffers multiple facial fractures following a horrible heads clash against InterThe striker is back in training with Napoli, albeit with a protective mask. However, FIFA regulations mean that he can’t play in official matches before thorough examinations confirm that the injury and subsequent operations haven’t left any lasting consequences.The rampant goalscorer picked up a nasty skull fracture during his team’s Serie A match against Inter on 21 November. He was operated on in Naples for multiple fractures two days later. The procedure went smoothly and the initial prognosis suggested that Osimhen would have to miss around 90 days of action.Maskman💪🏽😂 pic.twitter.com/WEHhBIZfAA— victor osimhen (@victorosimhen9) December 21, 2021 Osimhen returned to Lagos to spend Christmas with his family during the Serie A’s seasonal break. The Super Eagles are due to team up on Wednesday in Lagos ahead of the AFCON preparations. The attacker may decide to show up, but it would be only formally. The Italian club would prefer if the player returned straight to Italy.Everyone at the club is optimistic that their dependable Nigerian would be ready to help them when the Italian football season resumes, but Osimhen is desperate to take part in the big tournament in Cameroon. He’s already declared himself fit with a tweet on 21 December.”I will definitely be available for AFCON unless if am not among the players picked to represent Nigeria.”It would certainly be a boost for the fans and Nigeria’s interim coach Austin Eguavoen after the news that their other European-based striker Paul Onuachu is a doubt with a hamstring injury.AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS – Group DTuesday, 11 January 202219.00: (3.05) Nigeria (2.95) Egypt (2.55)22.00: (3.30) Sudan (2.95) Guinea B. (2.45)***odds are subject to change
