Victor Osimhen, Nigeria’s celebrated striker, recently expressed his frustrations on social media towards Super Eagles coach Finidi George. This reaction followed an online publication suggesting Finidi questioned Osimhen’s commitment to the national team and refused to plead with him to join the Super Eagles.

The incident occurred after Finidi’s resignation following disappointing results against South Africa and Benin, and the Nigerian Football Federation’s (NFF) decision to hire a foreign technical adviser. Finidi, dealing with professional challenges, eventually refuted the report, but Osimhen had already made his grievance public, sparking a week of chaos and dividing public opinion.

Some support Osimhen for defending his reputation, while others believe he disrespected a Nigerian legend and should apologize publicly, with some even calling for his ban from the national team.

Does Osimhen have a ‘bad boy’ reputation?

Amidst this turmoil, there have been revelations suggesting Osimhen has a history of conflicts. According to Sportblog247.com, his recent outburst is not his first disciplinary issue with the national team, alleging past conflicts with teammates and coaches. The report mentions incidents with Leon Balogun in 2019 and Francis Uzoho, portraying a pattern of poor behavior. Former teammate John Ogu described Osimhen as a “combustive player” who often reacts without thinking.

However, Sportblog247.com can confirm that while there were training ground squabbles between Osimhen and both Balogun and Uzoho, these incidents were typical of the intensity seen in football training sessions globally and were quickly resolved without lingering animosity.

Osimhen’s fierce competitiveness and commitment sometimes lead to high-intensity interactions with teammates and coaches. Last season, he had a couple of disputes with Napoli teammates and coach Luciano Spalletti, yet his goals later powered Napoli to their first Scudetto title in over 30 years. Spalletti praised Osimhen, calling him a strong footballer with heart and dedication to the team. Teammate André-Frank Zambo Anguissa described Osimhen as a great friend and a key player in their championship victory.

For the Super Eagles, Osimhen’s dedication is unquestionable. Former coach Jose Peseiro insisted on starting him in all of Nigeria’s seven games at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire due to his invaluable contribution to the team, despite scoring only one goal in the tournament. Contrary to rumors, the NFF has stated there are no plans to ban Osimhen. While they will address the outburst and implement corrective measures, a ban would be excessive and detrimental to the team.

In conclusion, Osimhen’s reaction to the false report was inappropriate, but attempts to demonize him are unfounded. He made a mistake by disrespecting Finidi, but he is not a bad influence or person. He will learn from this experience and emerge as a better player and person, ultimately benefiting Nigerian football.

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