Victor Osimhen has tested positive for coronavirus, his Italian club Napoli confirmed on Friday evening.
The Nigeria international returned to base on Thursday having been on break in Nigeria for the festive holidays.
📌 | La SSCN comunica che il calciatore Victor Osimhen è risultato positivo al tampone naso-faringeo molecolare effettuato ieri pomeriggio al suo rientro dall’estero. Il calciatore è asintomatico e non ha incontrato il gruppo squadra. pic.twitter.com/pOWSM9aYxU
— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) January 1, 2021
Since dislocating his shoulder in November 2020 during an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Sierra Leone, the most expensive African footballer ever has been out of action.
Osimhen has eight appearances and two Serie A goals for Gennaro Gattuso’s side since his big-money move from Ligue 1 to Italy in August.
In his absence, the Blues have won just four of their ten matches in all competitions, and are fifth on the Serie A standings with 25 points from 13 games.
Osimhen was set to return to action early in January but contracting Covid has caused an uproar with the emergence of videos on social media showing the Partenopei frontman dancing in a circle of well-wishers, clearly breaking social distancing rules.Â
The striker had been celebrating his 22nd birthday on December 29, and was allegedly surprised with a party by family and friends. However, he should have known better.
Thursday: Victor Osimhen reported to have tested positive to Covid-19.
— Fisayo Dairo (@FisayoDairo) January 2, 2021
Friday: The Nigerian striker is reportedly fined two weeks wages for breaching Covid-19 regulations as seen below 👇
Hopefully, he recovers in soon to get the job done on the pitch.pic.twitter.com/BN6aIeo7if
These are clearly unprecedented times and for someone who had observed the wreckage of the virus from one of the worst-hit European countries, Osimhen should have avoided getting surrounded by people without social distancing measures in place.
Moreso, right in the middle of the club season with a second strain of the virus now in circulation.
His indiscipline threatens to undermine his first season in Italy as he has barely been available on the pitch, Napoli hierarchy and Gattuso are fuming at his latest predicament. Rightly so. Â
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His talent, passion, and determination are not in question, but Osimhen needs to instill the professionalism which would make him stand out. Thus far, he is set to miss half of Napoli’s fixtures in January with his latest setback.
Pertinently, as Osimhen seeks to get up from yet another low moment in his senior professional career. Coming from adversity and winning hearts with his infectious style of play has been the underlying story of the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup winner’s career.
At the start of 2021, The Super Eagle will have taken some valuable lessons on board, with the stakes higher than ever in his entire life.
