ANDREW EKEJIUBA
FC Lugano goalkeeper, Sebastian Osigwe, risks missing out on his debut for the Super Eagles in next month’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Sierra Leone.
Swiss Super League side, Lugano have reported via their official website that the tests carried out following the positivity of Mattia Bottani also revealed Osigwe has contracted coronavirus.
The former Flying Eagles shot-stopper is required to self-isolate for at least ten days based on the COVID-19 guidelines in Switzerland.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed on Thursday that all players called up for the AFCON qualifiers against Sierra Leone must report at the Protea Hotel Emotan in Benin City on Monday, 9th November, meaning Osigwe faces a race against the clock to receive the medical all-clear to travel to Nigeria.
Goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Ikechukwu Ezenwa have both been placed on standby and could be invited at short notice in the event that Osigwe returns another positive coronavirus test in the coming days.
In the current season, the Swiss-born goal stopper has gone the distance in five of the six matches contested by Lugano in all competitions.
Lugano have written to the Swiss Football League to postpone Sunday’s meeting with Young Boys since the team does not have a total of eight players available for selection.
Osigwe joined Lugano this summer after leaving Swiss second-tier club, Kriens.