Sports
Osimhen battles injury record amid possible Napoli exit
Victor Osimhen is poised to make a comeback from his recent injury setback as Napoli faces Atalanta in Serie A this weekend. The 24-year-old Nigerian striker has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury while on international duty in October.
According to TransferMarkt, Osimhen’s injury history, comprising 14 different setbacks over seven years, has sparked discussions about his susceptibility to injuries. Seyi Babalola, the former Media Lead at Key To The City Lagos, attributes Osimhen’s frequent injuries to his intense playing style rather than a traditional sense of being injury-prone.
Babalola emphasizes that while Osimhen has experienced multiple injuries, many are impact-related, likely a result of his physical style of play. Despite his absence, Napoli struggled in recent fixtures, including a 1-1 draw with Union Berlin in the Champions League and a 1-0 home defeat to Empoli, leading to the dismissal of head coach Rudi Garcia.
Napoli’s recent poor form is seen by Babalola as a collective issue rather than solely Osimhen’s performance. He notes that the team has not replicated the same level of creativity and chance creation as in the previous season.
Walter Matarazzi, Napoli’s new coach, is counting on Osimhen’s return to boost the team’s fortunes. Osimhen’s comeback aligns with Napoli’s quest to regain their form and compete for the Serie A title after clinching their first Scudetto in 33 years.
However, uncertainties surround Osimhen’s future at Napoli. A social media incident involving the club’s TikTok account mocking him for a missed penalty created tension. Despite initially planning to sign a contract extension, Osimhen’s future became unclear. Former Nigerian captain John Mikel Obi has initiated a campaign to bring Osimhen to Chelsea in the Premier League, suggesting a potential move in the 2024 summer window.
As Osimhen aims to regain fitness for upcoming events like the AFCON tournament and the Serie A run, his performance will play a crucial role in shaping his future in Napoli and potential transfer possibilities.
Hugo Broos, the head coach of South Africa’s national football team, Bafana Bafana, has unveiled a preliminary squad of 36 players for their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Nigeria and Zimbabwe. Bafana Bafana will first play against the Super Eagles at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, June 7. Subsequently, they will host Zimbabwe at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.
Broos is expected to reduce the squad to 23 players in the coming days. Presently, Bafana Bafana holds the second position in Group C with three points garnered from two games, while the Super Eagles are in third place with two points, also from two matches.
Victor Osimhen and Bruno Onyemaechi have been added to the Super Eagles’ list of injured players ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin.
According to a report from DAILY POST, Osimhen was absent from Napoli’s training session on Monday following an injury sustained during their Serie A match against Bologna over the weekend. Napoli’s official website indicated that the forward was undergoing recovery work for a muscle strain, casting doubt on his availability for the upcoming league clash against Fiorentina.
Meanwhile, left-back Bruno Onyemaechi has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.
AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze is also uncertain for the two upcoming games due to an injury concern.
Furthermore, Moses Simon, Zaidu Sanusi, and Tyrone Ebuehi have already been sidelined from the qualifiers due to long-term injuries.
On a positive note, vice-captain William Troost-Ekong has recently resumed training after undergoing surgery following the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Real Madrid has clinched the LaLiga championship for the 2023-2024 season, officially confirmed following Girona’s 4-2 victory over Barcelona in the late match.
Carlo Ancelotti’s squad secured a 3-0 home win against Cadiz, courtesy of goals from Brahim Diaz, Jude Bellingham, and Joselu.
With these results, Real Madrid now holds 87 points from 34 matches. Barcelona’s defeat places them in third position with 73 points, one less than Girona.
This marks the 36th occasion that Los Blancos have claimed the league title.
Ahead, Real Madrid is set to host Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final encounter, with the tie currently level at 2-2.
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