Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri acknowledged the possibility of Victor Osimhen being listed among the substitutes for tonight’s UEFA Champions League clash against Braga.
Osimhen was absent from training on Monday due to his attendance at the CAF Awards 2023, where the 24-year-old secured the Men’s Player of the Year accolade in Marrakech, Morocco.
Following the ceremony, the Nigerian promptly traveled back to Naples.
Napoli’s quest for at least a point against Braga is crucial to secure their spot in the Round of 16.
“Osimhen did what he had to,” Mazzarri was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.
“I will talk to him tomorrow and understand if he can start.”
The forward is expected to be named in Nigeria’s squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, which starts next January in Cote d’Ivoire.
The former Lille star could be away for around a month, depending on Nigeria’s progress in the competition.
Mazzarri hinted that the Serie A champions must be ready to cope with Osimhen’s absence.
“The AFCON is around the corner too, so we know we must do without him for a while, we have two good players like Giacomo Raspadori and Giovanni Simeone,” the Tuscan coach stated.