Napoli’s Osimhen set to make AFCON return since 2019

Super Eagles boss, Jose Peseiro, has just named his 25-man squad to exchange tackles at the upcoming 2023 AFCON tournament slated to hold in Cote d’Ivoire

Napoli forward Victor Osimhen returns to the Super Eagles squad for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, marking his first appearance since his involvement in Nigeria’s third-place clash against Tunisia during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, Soccernet.ng reports.

Osimhen’s return is eagerly anticipated after his standout performances, earning him recognition as the eighth-best player globally at the 2023 Ballon d’Or awards and securing the African Player of the Year title.

In 2021, an unfortunate broken cheekbone sidelined Osimhen from the AFCON squad, raising speculation that his presence could have potentially propelled Nigeria further in the tournament beyond the round of 16.

With the 2023 AFCON scheduled for January 2024, fans eagerly await Osimhen’s participation, hoping for an injury-free tournament where he showcases his talents in the Nigerian jersey.

Expected to lead Nigeria’s forward line among the likes of Ahmed Musa, Kelechi Iheanacho, Sadiq Umar, Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, and Victor Boniface, Osimhen is anticipated to play a pivotal role in the team’s starting lineup.

Currently boasting seven goals and two assists for Napoli this season, and with 20 goals for Nigeria, Osimhen eyes surpassing the all-time Nigeria goal scorers’ records set by Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Segun Odegbami during the 2023 AFCON tournament.

Ayomide Oguntimehin

Ayomide holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English and currently works as a News Writer. He has more than five years of experience in digital journalism, with a strong background in researching and writing compelling news.