Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen will undergo surgery on Tuesday (today) after he fractured his cheekbone and eye socket in Napoli’s 3-2 defeat by Inter Milan on Sunday.
The 22-year-old, who is Napoli’s top scorer this season with nine goals in 14 appearances, was substituted in the 52nd minute following a nasty clash of heads with Inter’s Milan Skriniar.
The defeat by Inter was Napoli’s first of the league season and the potential long-term absence of Osimhen comes as a blow to their quest for a third Serie A title.
Italian Serie A leaders Napoli confirmed the extent of the injury on Twitter, adding that the forward “will undergo surgery today in Naples”.
Reports in the Italian media suggest the surgery to repair damage to his left eye and the surrounding region could sideline him for at least six weeks.
“Osimhen will return to Naples in the evening (Monday evening), will remain under observation and will be operated tomorrow (today) by Gianpaolo Tartaro assisted by the Health Manager of the club Raffaele Canonico,” Napoli tweeted.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Football Federation faces an anxious wait over the fitness of Osimhen as the striker may be out of action for up to six weeks with the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon kicking off on January 9.
Nigeria will open their campaign for a fourth continental title on January 11 against Egypt.
Osimhen netted four times in six games to help Nigeria to reach Africa’s World Cup play-offs next March.
He also finished as joint-top scorer in qualifying for the delayed Nations Cup, with five goals.