Former Nigerian defender, Godwin Okpara has attributed Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen’s absence from the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations as a result of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) poor communication with Napoli.
The Nigerian international was ruled out for three months after surgery, which prevented him from representing Nigeria at the tournament.
However, Osimhen returned to action for the first time in two months, coming on as a substitute for Belgium international Dries Mertens in the 71st-minute.
Reacting to this development, Okpara told Brila FM that the NFF failed to create a good relationship with Napoli and that he could have feature in the Super Eagles last Group D game against Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday.
“It was a blow for us when we had that Osimhen won’t be part of the Nations Cup. And it is also a blow for Nigeria to hear that he’s back playing now.
“This shows that there is no intimate communication between the NFF and the Napoli officials . Had it been that there was good communication, it would have been possible for him to participate at AFCON.”
3 Comments
NFF should have agreed with Napoli administration that to leave Osimhen to play tow matches for Napoli then let him to join his colleagues in Garuoa in order to play the rest of the tournament; this can be a gentle man agreement between tow sides.But NFF hasn’t diplomcy and good mentality to deal with a big dilemma like of Osimhen and his club and his injury.
What of the relationship NFF or amaju had with Watford how did that work out?
These clubs are the ones paying the players.
NFF will dump osimhen if he loses form or get injury so him weigh am.
And it is his club that will not dump him if he loses form?