Victor Osimhen might not play for Napoli against Barcelona in the Champions League round of 16 after the striker’s exhaustion prevented him from playing in Saturday’s dramatic 1-1 home draw with Genoa in Serie A.

After assisting Nigeria in making it to the Africa Cup of Nations final, where they were defeated 2-1 by the host Ivory Coast on Sunday, Osimhen went back to his Italian club.

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“According to him and the doctors, the boy is at his lowest,” coach Walter Mazzarri told DAZN.

“Coming back from the African Cup of Nations it wouldn’t have been the best choice to risk it and let him play for a quarter of an hour to 20 minutes, so the doctor told me.”

Osimhen’s physical condition declined during the tournament; he was only able to play the day before the semi-final versus South Africa due to gastrointestinal issues.

In the competition, the 25-year-old only managed one goal, but his contributions were crucial in helping Nigeria go to the final for the seventh time.

“Today he had an anti-fatigue training, tomorrow he will train.

“We hope to have him ready for Barcelona (but) his presence will not be certain,” Mazzarri said.

“Since I arrived I’ve never had him. He was injured, I had to recover him gradually.

“Then there was the Africa Cup of Nations.”