Osimhen is ready but if he plays Nigerians will call him a traitor — Expert claims

Turkish football analyst Serdar Ali Celikler believes that Victor Osimhen only delayed his return from injury due to optics. He submitted that the striker did not want to be viewed as a traitor by Nigerians and, hence, spent longer in the infirmary. 

Osimhen sustained an injury in the World Cup qualifier clash against Rwanda and hence was unavailable for the following game against South Africa. 

Nigeria only managed a draw against Bafana Bafana in Osimhen's absence, which dented World Cup qualification hopes. 

The former Napoli man only recently returned since the incident, playing the last 10 minutes against Antalyaspor last Friday. Serdar believes that the Nigerian could have returned earlier but the optics would not be right. 

"There is no problem with money or salary for Osimhen," he said, per GsGazette. He is not risking himself because he returned injured from the Nigerian national team. He didn't want to be called a traitor in his country if he played immediately after his return. He is already in the squad for the Alanyaspor match. There is no problem at all."

Meanwhile, Victor Osimhen could participate in the Champions League clash against Liverpool this midweek if he passes a late fitness test. Okan Buruk said he has been training well.