Former Nigeria international Nduka Ugbade has described Victor Osimhen’s absence from the Super Eagles squad to the 2021 AFCON as terrible, Completesports.com reports.
After undergoing surgery on his fractured eye socket and cheekbone, Napoli revealed that Osimhen will be sidelined for three months which rules him out of next year’s tournament.
Osimhen had a head collision with an Inter Milan player in Sunday’s Serie A clash which saw Napoli lose 3-2.
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He was rushed to hospital before undergoing surgery today (Tuesday) with Napoli confirming how long he will be out of action.
And in an exclusive interview with Completesports.com, Ugbade who helped Nigeria win the 1994 AFCON in Tunisia said: “This is a very terrible thing for Nigeria, for this Cup of National coming up in January because Osimhen is 50 per cent national team. He is a hustler and this is an opportunity because he is at his best. It is very painful.“
The 1985 FIFA U-16 World Cup winning captain with the Golden Eaglets pointed out that this is now an opportunity for other players to step in.
“We have to start looking inwards to see what we can do so the likes of Taiwo Awoniyi should be called upon especially in friendly matches so as to give him the opportunity and not pressurize him so much because he is doing well now in Europe.
“Also, the return of Odion Ighalo would now not be anything bad at this moment, he was part of the team before but like I said Taiwo must be called. The likes of Terem Moffi, Paul Onuachu and others that have not been given the opportunity should get their opportunity now. But my own concern is for Taiwo to be called.“
So far this season, the 22-year-old has scored nine goals and provided two assists in 14 games in all competitions.
By James Agberebi
20 Comments
A big blow to the nation. Hope he gets on his feet soon.
What a blow.
Quite terrible! I hope this is not a ploy by Napoli to keep him away from National duty. These guys
Me too o. 3 months???
He might get well in few weeks, let’s keep praying.
That’s certainly Nduka Ugbade of the miracle of Dammam fame. Remember the 4 zero to 4-4 score line?
Another important player though not a striker is the versatile Tyrone Ebuehi who is very effective at the right back. I would suggest to Rohr since he’s the coach taking us to AFCON in few weeks time, to send invite to Tyrone, Desser and Awoniyi. Just my scent.
We need Jo Bonefere to take us to the AFCON and Nigeria can dream of winning it.
He he he! You mean Johannes Franciscus Bonfrere? Funny sha.
Only confused people would want Jo Bonfere to be hired as Eagles coach in 2021.
What has he done lately ?
What team has he managed and when did he manage the team ?
I no fit shout.
That was 32 years ago when the Flying Eagles locked horns with the USSR u23. My brother, I almost quenched when the score line rose to 3.0. Infact I put off my black and white, took a stroll to kill tension. It was on the street I heard 3.2, quick successional goals coming from C. Ohenhen. The rest is history. For Osimhen, it is a lose not just to Nigerians but to Africans who were waiting to catch his electricity in Cameroon.
Sura for Chief Adeboye Thomas HRH.
Sorry o, 4.2 not 3.2.
But with Rohr? It’s all over.
Painful!!! Same way sala was injured and miss the last world cup for Egypt.
If missing afcon is necessary for him to recover fully abeg let him miss it.
His career matter most in this regards.
Let other striker to up their game. If Nigeria fails to do well in afcon on the account of oshime abscence. Then we don’t have more than one striker niyen.
We should not be fret about Him if truly all other strikers we have been shouting their names here are all good.
Thank you very much Sir.
That Serie A self is too rough. Abeg Osimhen if you see offer from Manchester City or Barcelona, abeg move jare. Their defenders for serie a no dey see good strikers for eye especially younger ones. Na how to ruin their career with injury go dey their head. I wish you Quick recovery my darling Osimhen
It’s a terrible blow to our team loosing a striker of Osimhen calibre. I wish him speedy recovery. However going down memory lane at u17 when Taiwo Awoniyi broke into limelight he was also a second fidle to Iseac Success but he proved his mantle by taking the opportunity with both hands.
Currently Taiwo is the leading marksman for Nigerian Players across Europe the next coach should be bold enough to trust him to lead the attack.
Just like when the former Coach deployed Ighalo and Osim in attack I wish he was bold to try Taiwo alongside Osim rather than Ighalo. If only we had played 4 4 2 as our preferred formation Nigerians would had been singing a different tune but our Coach isn’t one that takes bold decisions hence it cost him his job. All our WF played inwards coming in to shoot with their strong foot Samuel and Ejuke comes to mind.
At the CB, Ekong is clumsy, Erratic and always culpable making silly mistakes. I hope the next Coach can identify these lapses and correct them because going into nations Cup and play offs their is no margin for error.
Sentiment aside we can’t have two passengers going into a tournament in our last match itvwas evidently clare that neither Ighalo nor Musa had the legs for a higher intensity game. I can understand Musa’s continues inclusion but Ighalo no please. Let him rest he has past his prime.
I hope he gets well and also make it to the world cup because he really needs it . At this stage , Taiwo Aeoniyi, Cyril Dessers should be included along with Dennis Bonaventure and the okereke guy . Paul Ohnachu Is already there so the formations necessary like the 3-5-2, 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 should be explored and which of these strikers can adapt to them .
There’s a lot of work to be done esp in the midfield , the central defence and in set pieces
We need a compact midfield. Alex Iwobi is not convincing to me .
We need a midfielder who can fight for the team to win not only by creating chances but also scoring goals when it matters .
The central defence esp Ekong has a lot of work to be done. Ekong has not found someone to give him a run for his money over the position . Assuming Tomori didn’t choose England , he would have toughened Ekong for that position. Right now the team needs to be positive for the nation’s cup and also have it at the back of their head that qualifying for the world cup is a must..
Another thing that I heard that is disturbing is the issue of three players breaking curfew during the WC qualifiers against Cape Verde and for Pinnicl to interfere with the coaches decision Is not ideal at all.
This team needs a coach who really need to step his toes on both the team and admin .
It’s really terrible mehn….with all due respect to their Awoniyi’s, Onuachu I don’t trust them the way I trust Osimehn with the no 9 position.
But all of a sudden we are beginning to forget kelechi iheanacho. Even Ugbade did not give him a mention..whats happening to him guys?? Thought he use to be everybody’s favorite last season? Like the bomb.. should we blame Rogers or him for not increasing the tempo this season???
Ugbade had issues with Nacho during U-20 World Cup, he still bears that grudge and bitterness. Just as he thinks he should’ve made 1994 World Cup squad. I wonder who should’ve dropped for him lol
But is there no way they can give him an out of this world treatment for him to recover quickly?? The best really. Nff should come into this please. He can be wearing a mask on the pitch during Afcon to protect his face more. cos I know if it is insigne that is injured like this, and euro is close, their FA together with Napoli will put hands together to ensure he quickly recovers to play the euro…Sorry to say Nigeria might find it difficult at the afcon without Osimehn. cos like I said, Osimehn is the most bankable Nigerian no 9 out of all your Awoniyi’s and Onuachu’s