No injury, real reason for Osimhen's exclusion from Portugal friendly revealed

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday, November 14 released a statement stating that Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of Nigeria's friendly against Portugal due to injury.

In his stead will be Cremonese's striker Cyriel Dessers who was initially ruled out of the game following his injury against Udinese in the Serie A on October 30.

Contrary to the initial claim by the NFF, reports from Italy as per La Gazzetta dello Sport (Via Tutto Napoli) suggest that the 23-year-old Super Eagles striker has no physical harm or injury.

This suggests that the ex-Lille forward snubbed the Super Eagles friendly against Portugal as a precautionary measure to avoid injury.

Osimhen has featured prominently in Napoli's success story so far this season.

The Nigerian international has netted 10 goals this season for the Naples-based team and is currently the top scorer in the Serie A with 9 goals.

Meanwhile, Dessers who was crafted in for Osimhen has arrived at the Super Eagles camp ahead of the friendly.

Other players who have arrived in Lisbon are Francis Uzoho, Wilfred Ndidi and Moses Simon.

WDN