Osimhen: Napoli bolstered by striker’s return to group training ahead of Cagliari trip
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Napoli's Victor Osimhen is back in team training ahead of Cagliari visit after Friday's absence (Credit: Napoli)

Osimhen: Napoli bolstered by striker’s return to group training ahead of Cagliari trip

Seye Omidiora 15:01 - 24.02.2024

The Nigeria international, who trained apart from his teammates on Friday, was back with his colleagues on Saturday morning.

Napoli have revealed that Victor Osimhen has returned to team training ahead of Sunday’s Serie A clash with relegation-threatened Cagliari at the Unipol Domus.

The Nigeria international scored the leveller for the Partenopei against Barcelona on his return from Africa Cup of Nations duty with the Super Eagles to take the Italian side level in the tie before visiting Barcelona in the return leg on March 12.

Only days after netting against the Blaugrana, the Serie A side disclosed that Osimhen trained apart from the group on Friday, but the Nigerian has now been reinstated.

Osimhen’s individual training: A precautionary measure

Previously, Napoli revealed that Osimhen underwent a separate training regimen from the main squad on Friday. The decision for the centre-forward to work in isolation was attributed to a fever, prompting a tailored approach to his training schedule.

The club's statement highlighted that while Osimhen took to the gym for his exercises, teammate Cyril Ngonge also had a personalised session due to a minor injury. This move underscores Napoli's cautious approach, ensuring that key players are given time to recuperate, especially after exacting matches.

Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen missed Napoli training days after his equaliser against Barcelona in the Champions League. (Photo Credit: UCL/X)

Osimhen overcomes fever to rejoin teammates

The Nigerian’s absence from group training raised concerns among the Napoli faithful, especially following his vital goal in the Champions League draw against Barcelona.

However, Osimhen’s swift recovery and return to full training have quelled fears, signalling his readiness to lead Napoli's line against Cagliari.

Impactful return from AFCON Duty

Marking his club comeback with a goal against Barcelona, Osimhen demonstrated why he is considered one of the most lethal strikers in European football. With nine goals in 19 appearances across all competitions this season (seven in Serie A), Osimhen remains a central figure in Napoli's attacking lineup.

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Anticipation for the Serie A clash with Cagliari

Despite initial fears, Osimhen’s return means the striker is anticipated to lead Napoli’s front line in the Serie A clash against Claudio Ranieri's Cagliari.

Reports from Italy had reassured that Osimhen’s condition was not a cause for alarm, and so it proved, with last year’s Capocannoniere returning for the February 25 fixture in Sardinia.

Looking ahead

After facing Ranieri’s men, top-four chasing Napoli travel to struggling Sassuolo on February 28 before hosting Juventus and Torino at the start of March in the lead-up to the trip to take on Barcelona at the Montjuic.