Nigeria call up Paul Onuachu to replace Victor Osimhen for October friendlies

Napoli striker,Victor  Osimhen
 
Genk striker Paul Onuachu has been called up to the Nigeria squad for the upcoming friendlies against Algeria and Tunisia as a replacement for Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen was named in a 25-man squad for the friendlies which will hold in Austria.
But on Sunday, the Nigeria Football Federation announced that the Napoli new signing will miss both matches — and his place will be taken by in-form Genk forward Onuachu, who has notched six goals in his last four appearances for the Belgian club.
“@victorosimhen9 has been excused from @NGSuperEagles’ games against Algeria and Tunisia. His replacement is Paul Onuachu,” the NFF confirmed on Twitter.

🔊 ❗️❗️@victorosimhen9 has been excused from @NGSuperEagles’ games against Algeria and Tunisia. His replacement is Paul Onuachu. #Team9jaStrong #SoarSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/UGJnS6jLub

— The NFF 🇳🇬 (@thenff) October 4, 2020

The football body did not disclose the reason for the player’s omission from the squad, but sources in Italy say the 21-year-old has been excluded from the squad due to newly-laid travel restrictions in Campania — where Osimhen’s club Napoli are based — following recent increases in coronavirus cases.
Napoli were expected to travel to Turin for the tie with champions Juventus on Sunday, but the fixture was plunged into doubt after the club were informed they would not be allowed to leave the city.
On Saturday, Italian media reported that Genarro Gattuso’s side are forbidden from travelling by local health authorities, after two Napoli players tested positive for COVID-19.
The travel ban means Osimhen cannot leave Naples for the southern Austrian state of Carinthia, where the friendlies will hold.
Nigeria, three-time African champions meet Algeria — whom they lost to in last year’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals — at Wörthersee Stadion, on October 9, before playing Tunisia at LeMans Arena four days later.