Osimhen Pleads To Drop Out Of AFCON

Super Eagles interim coach Austin Eguavoen claims Watford threatened Dennis to boycott tournament
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen pleaded with the technical crew of the Super Eagles to be excluded from the forthcoming African Cup of Nations tournament in Cameroon, Saturday.
Osimhen who canceled a planned trip to Italy to assess his cheekbone injury after contracting coronavirus for a second time on Thursday will have to undergo a fresh test on his face on January 4 our correspondent learnt.
Tidesports source reports that the 23-year-old has been replaced by Olympiakos striker Henry Onyekuru.
Speaking through the Nigerian Football Federation media channel on Friday, interim coach Austin Eguavoen said the Napoli striker revealed he was not fully fit to feature at the tournament which kicks off from January 9 to February 6 in Cameroon.
“We had two training sessions with six players in camp and they responded well. We are still expecting re to come in later on Saturday,” Eguavoen said after Friday’s training in Abuja.
“Osimhen, it’s a pity that he will not be at the AFCON. He told me practically and pleaded with me and I saw reasons. I tried for hours to convince him but his health comes first which is my concern.
“When he spoke with me he was disappointed and he told me he was not OK. And did not want to go to the AFCON not fully 100 per cent fit.
“I gave him a few hours and called him back to see whether he will change his mind and he told me he will be going for evaluation on his face on January 4 and 5 before doctors can make a final decision.
With that injury, you have to consider his health. It’s a tough one.”
Eguavoen was also forced to replace Shehu Abdullahi, Leon Balogun and Emmanuel Dennis in his squad for the tournament.