Osimhen Set To Make History With Ultra-modern Protective Mask

By Ogundele Olanrewaju

SSC Napoli of Italy striker, Victor Osimhen is bound to make history later this month as the first player to wear an ultra-modern protective face mask in an Italian Serie A match.

This is sequel to updated information out of The Land of The Azzurri, where the medical crew at Napoli have given Osimhen clearance to resume training with his team next week.

This means a reversal of an earlier verdict that the Super Eagles’ youngster would be out for three months, thereby ruling him out of next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

However, Eagles’ coach, Gernot Rohr has already included Osimhen as a standby player in his provisional list for the upcoming AFCON, which starts on January 9, and the Franco-German tactician will surely be excited with the news out of Naples.

This means Osimhen could also become the first Nigerian player to wear a protective face mask at the contintenal soccer showpiece, once he gets to launch it in Serie A action.

Hope is rising high in that direction, as top shots at Napoli are now looking at the possibility of the in-form lad playing in their last match of the year, wearing the new protective mask that will be made of 3D components.

The mask, which has been recommend by Napoli’s medical chief, Rafaelle Canonica, after 18 surgical screws inserted into Osimhen’s cheekbone were removed on Thursday, is also expected to be custom-made.

The hyper-realistic 3D printed face mask, which is also reportedly eight times as effective as an N95 version, using software and Formlab component, will come with a headband and clear plastic sheet in front.

A report by Italian newspaper, Gazzetta dello Sport added: “The carbon mask to be supported on the player’s forehead, so as not to press on the eyebrow.

“A mask that will be made with a 3D printer, on the cast of the centre forward’s face.”