Osimhen's teammates locked in a room for rituals by Napoli owner in drastic response to poor form

Napoli team celebrating || Credit: Imago

FOOTBALL Osimhen's teammates locked in a room for rituals by Napoli owner in drastic response to poor form

Osimhen's teammates locked in a room for rituals by Napoli owner in drastic response to poor form

Izuchukwu Akawor • 14:59 - 12.01.2024

Victor Osimhen and Napoli are struggling to defend their Serie A title and have fallen out of the title race, prompting a reaction from the owner.

SSC Napoli players have been confined to a week-long stay in a hotel by disappointed owner Aurelio De Laurentiis after falling off the title pace in the Serie A.

Victor Osimhen and his teammates ended a long wait for the Serie A title last season but have looked poor so far in their quest to defend it. 

Napoli stars locked up

The Italian champions currently sit ninth on the Serie A table, 20 points behind league leaders Inter Milan after 19 matches. 

Halfway through the 2023/2024 campaign, Osimhen’s defending champions have only managed eight wins, with seven defeats, three of which have come in the last four matches.

Victor Osimhen surrounded by Cagliari players |Photo Credit: Imago

In a drastic move, Napoli owner De Laurentiis has taken the players to a week-long retreat known as ‘ritiro’, which means ‘withdraw, according to a Daily Star report.

In a drastic move, De Laurentiis has ordered the entire squad to be locked in a hotel until their form improves.

Napoli are 20 points behind the title race.
Napoli are 20 points behind the title race. | Credit: IMAGO

The Italian league is not the only place Napoli are struggling, having crashed out of the Coppa Italia following an embarrassing 4-0 defeat to Frosinone.

Nigeria’s Osimhen missed the Coppa Italia defeat as he has been on international duty with Nigeria for the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.

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The 25-year-old, who is the current African Player of the Year, would hope for a better outing with Nigeria’s Super Eagles when the team takes to the pitch against Equatorial Guinea in their AFCON opener on Sunday. 

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SSC Napoli Victor Osimhen Serie A