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Feb. 27, 2021

STAFF REPORTER

3 min read

Nigeria coach hopes Osimhen will be fit for Lesotho, Benin

Nigeria coach hopes Osimhen will be fit for Lesotho, Benin

Nigeria's star player Victor Osimhen

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SUPER Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr is hopeful star player, Victor Osimhen will be fit for next month's 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Lesotho and Benin.

Osimhen was knocked unconscious during the final minutes of Napoli's 4-2 away defeat to Atlanta on Sunday.

The 22-year-old was stretchered off the pitch and rushed to the hospital after hitting his head on the ground, following a collision with Atalanta defender Cristian Romero.

Napoli announced on Tuesday that the striker will rest for a period of a few days before gradually returning to training.

Rohr, who is expected to name him in his squad for next month's crucial final two 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, is hopeful he will return to action soon.

"I spoke to Victor, he told me he's physically and mentally okay now but must wait for the club doctors," Rohr told bbc.com.

"My thoughts are with him because he's had some difficult start in Italy, but he's a strong boy and he must wait for the doctors to clear him to play again.

"He's an important player for us and we'll see how it goes at his club first, because his well-being is very important for everyone."

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Likuena are due to play back to back AFCON qualifiers against Sierra Leone's Lone Stars as well as Nigeria's Super Eagles next month in Group L, which also consists of the Squirrels of Benin.
Head coach Thabo Senong is yet to register a win in the 2022 AFCON qualifiers after opening the fixture with a promising a 1-1 draw against the Lone’s Stars away, before being brought down to earth by the Super Eagles through a 4-2 beating at Setsoto stadium.

In their last encounter, the squad was held to a goalless draw by the Squirrels.  

Likuena languish at the bottom of the Group L with only two points while the Super Eagles lead the pack with eight points. Benin are on second position with seven points and Sierra Leone are third placed with three points. Leadership/Metro

 

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