Super Eagles of Nigeria attacker, Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of the 2022 African Cup of Nations slated to hold between the 9th of January and 6th of February in Cameroon.
Osimhen sustained a facial injury on Sunday as he went on a heads-on collision against Inter Milan defender, Milan Skriniar, leaving him with a brutal damage to his face.
Napoli confirmed afterwards that the attacker had suffered multiple facial fracture and would undergo a surgery to put his face back in shape.
The club confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that Osimhen will be out for a period of three months, a period which means he is ruled out of the African Cup of Nations.
“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.
“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,” the club said in a statement.
Arguably Nigeria’s most-important player, Osimhen’s absence will be a big blow to the Super Eagles’ chances as he’s in a rich vein of form and shows great hunger to succeed whenever he plays for the Nigerian national team.
Meanwhile, there appears to be a contradiction between the statement of the Maxillofacial surgeon who worked on Osimhen, Dr. Tartaro and the club.
In a breakdown, the doctor said; “In a week Osimhen will be able to start exercising again. In 15 days he will be able to run and in six weeks he will be able to train. Even if we have to wait to say it: the times can only be evaluated after the surgery, ” Dr. Tartaro told Italian newspaper Il Mattino on Tuesday morning.
Osimhen has scored 9 goals in 14 appearances this season and was Nigeria’s top scorer at the AFCON qualifiers.