Napoli head coach Walter Mazzarri has said he has pardoned Victor Osimhen for receiving a red card against AS Roma.

Osimhen was given his matching orders after collecting a second yellow card in Napoli’s 2-0 defeat at AS Roma.

Napoli went into the game against Roma hoping to bounce back from the shock 4-0 loss at home to Frosinone in the Coppa Italia.

Unfortunately, the Nigerian striker was sent off with four minutes left with the score at 1-0.

“Perhaps he felt the pressure after such a great season,” Mazzarri said at a press conference on Thursday, as quoted by Il Corriere dello Sport.

“Unfortunately, he was returning from an injury, and now he will play in the Africa Cup of Nations. I pardon him [for the red card] because he must be protected.”

Osimhen is not expected to play again for Napoli until February that is if the Eagles reach at least the semi-final of the AFCON 2023.

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