VICTOR Osimhen is expected to leave the Super Eagles camp in Portugal earlier than initially planned after he picked up a knock in the 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia on Friday.
The Napoli striker lasted 58 minutes in the friendly in Portimao before being replaced by Terem Moffi and he is now unlikely to wait around for tomorrow night’s friendly against Mozambique, also in Portimao.
The 24-year-old is now scheduled to fly back to Naples tomorrow to undergo further medical checks after his early withdrawal against Roberto Mancini’s side.
Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro had stated after the friendly that doctors in Portugal would run a check on Osimhen but it now appears that he would be examined in Italy to assess the severity of the damage.
While the nature of the injury is yet to be revealed, Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb suggested that Osimhen could miss a week or two of action at the minimum.
The friendly between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia was goalless before Osimhen limped off but it exploded into life shortly after his departure.
The Super Eagles fell behind due to a howler from goalkeeper Francis Uzoho but took the lead through an own goal and a superb strike from Kelechi Iheanacho before conceding the equaliser in the 10th minute of stoppage time.
The result halted a dismal run of six straight defeats for Saudi Arabia as new coach Mancini avoided a third straight loss.
Osimhen has thrived with the Super Eagles, scoring 20 goals in 27 appearances, but has also been unlucky with injuries and illnesses.
He dislocated his shoulder after a horrific fall during an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Sierra Leone in Benin City in November 2020 and contracted Covid-19 on two separate occasions while on international duty.
Osimhen also missed the AFCON tournament in Cameroon in early 2021 due to a cheekbone fracture he suffered while playing for Napoli.
The top scorer in Serie A last season with 26 goals has already netted six times in eight league games this term, but he could miss Napoli’s trip to Verona on Saturday and the UEFA Champions League visit to Union Berlin the following midweek.
