The Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, who recently made his highly-anticipated Galatasaray debut,might have to face restrictions on wearing his protective face mask during matches in Turkey.
According to reports, Osimhen’s mask has recently become a point of contention following an incident that occurred during the game.
The Super Eagles forward had a head-on collision with Çaykur Rizespor’s Khusniddin Alikulov, which led his teammate sustaining a concussion.
Although the initial fears of having his face fractured were cleared, the injury has sparked a debate on whether Osimhen’s mask, which includes metal fasteners, poses risk to opponents.
The on-loan Napoli forward previous encounter with Inter Milan in November 2021, led to the striker suffering a significant injury after a head-to-head clash with defender Milan Skriniar.
However, it was reported that the injury required surgery, during which six plates and 18 screws were inserted into his face, sidelining the Nigerian striker for three months.
According to the doctor who conducted the repair procedure, the striker fractured his eye socket and cheekbone in Napoli’s loss to Inter Milan, and needed surgery, which required ‘‘six plaques and 18 screws’’ to repair the ‘‘devastating’’ damage.
The club surgeon, Gianpaolo Tartaro, gave the update on the then 22-year-old Osimhen, saying he had recommended a new but smaller protective mask for the striker back in February 2022 .
The mask has recently drawn scrutiny from Turkish football circles who appear to be disturbed about its safety implications.
However, according to recent reports dating from Thursday, it has been revealed that no official decision has been made.
With increasing concerns about the strikers mask, Turkish media, Aslinda, weighed into it in this week’s report, titled, “Is it forbidden for Galatasaray star Osimhen to wear a mask? Fırat Aydınus explained”
Later on, former referee Aydınus, evaluated the position in the programme on TV 8.5. “The Referee May Say You Can’t Wear It”
Aydinus reiterated that the accessories worn by football players should be checked by referees, ”For example, did the material of that mask have an effect that would cause a concussion in Alikulov’s position? Referees should pay attention to the devices used in the equipment…
“That’s why they definitely checked it. It is light, soft tissue, but the bottom line is this. It has served as an emission in its favour in the existing blow. Because let me tell you something. If the accessory you wear harms both your opponent’s and your own health, the referee can tell you not to wear it," he added.
Afrikfoot has reported that, the Osimhen mask, which has metal fasteners incorporated in its design, could possibly be considered as constituting danger to opponents.
According to Napoli doctor Roberto Ruggiero who in July 2022 revealed why Osimhen still plays using a protective mask, seven months after his recovery from the head injury.
Read more
