Thursday 30th December 2021: Nigeria international Victor Osimhen has tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the commencement of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

His club made this known on Thursday – 10 days to the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

A statement from the Serie A outfit read, “Napoli has announced that Victor Osimhen has tested positive for Covid-19 but is asymptomatic. Dr. Tartaro was due to perform a check-up on the player tomorrow.

“Consequently, the local authorities have ordered that Osimhen self-isolate and the check-up will be rescheduled after he has tested negative and his period of isolation ends.”

The Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who is still recovering from a serious injury, was named as part of its Austin Eguavoen’s 28-man squad for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Osimhen looked certain to miss the tournament, which is scheduled to kick off in Cameroon on January 9, after initially being ruled out for three months following surgery on face fractures suffered against Inter Milan in late November.

Osimhen fractured his cheek bones following a clash of heads with Inter defender Milan Skriniar, and had titanium implants placed in his cheekbone and eye socket.

The 22-year-old striker had already declared himself fit to travel to Cameroon but his Italian club want him to stay away.

The striker is asymptomatic and has begun a period of self-isolation, Napoli confirmed on their official website.