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Osimhen ‘doing well’ after surgery, out for three months, to miss AFCON

NAPOLI have announced that Victor Osimhen will be out of action until at least late February after he underwent surgery.

The Super Eagles striker fractured his cheekbones while playing for Napoli in their 3-2 Serie A defeat to Inter Milan on Sunday.

Italian league leaders Napoli provided details of the 22-year-old Nigerian’s surgery and prognosis, estimating the recovery time to be beyond the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations that will be held from 9 January to 6 February.

“On Tuesday morning, Victor Osimhen was operated on his cheekbone and eye socket by Gianpaolo Tartaro, who was assisted by Dr Mario Santagata with Dr Raffaele Canonico also present,” Napoli wrote on their official website on Tuesday.

“Titanium plates and screws were used in the operation. The player is doing well and will remain under observation for the next few days.

“Osimhen is expected to return to action in three months.”

Incidentally, just moments before the announcement, Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti had told Sky Sports Italia he expected Osimhen back much sooner.

“I hope he will return against Milan (on 19 December), the doctors told me that the surgery won’t prevent him from being available in three or four games,” Spalletti said.

Osimhen is the main man in both Napoli and Nigeria’s attack, the two teams relying on his goals.

He has scored nine goals in 11 games for Napoli this season, and netted the only goal in the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw with Cape Verde in Lagos last week that sealed their places in the World Cup playoffs.

The AFCON in Cameroon would have been the first major tournament where he would be the first-choice centre forward.

He was at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, but as understudy to Odion Ighalo.

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Naija Times