Napoli forward Victor Osimhen has tested positive for COVID-19 less than 24 hours after celebrating his 23rd birthday.
The Italian club announced this on Thursday, confirming their player would not be returning to Italy after testing positive before boarding his flight.
Osimhen’s positive result comes days before the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Cameroon.
Despite a severe face injury, Osimhen was included in the Nigeria 28-man squad list for AFCON.
The striker was scheduled for a medical check-up in his club’s base to ascertain his full recovery from the injury suffered in November before he tested positive for COVID-19.
“Ahead of the medical check-up, the swab test Osimhen underwent in Nigeria before boarding came back positive, so the player didn’t leave his native country,” Napoli announced.
Osimhen had at about this time last year also tested positive for the same virus after reportedly attending a party in Lagos.
