By Jude Obiora
Victor Osimhen is one player loved not just in Nigeria but across the footballing globe. He personifies passion and commitment. He scores all manner of goals too. He bullies defences and commands a fear factor. Sadly, it’s some of these beautiful traits that may actually kill his career.
Osimhen doesn’t know when his passion makes him to cross boundaries. Because of this, he’s often faced situations he could have avoided. If he’s not quarrelling with and throwing tantrums at his coaches, he’s storming off the pitch in anger. He also quarrels with fellow players. This last one was the case during the Super Eagles match with Mozambique. At three nil up, he’d already scored twice off assists from Lookman who had scored once. But moments later, the same Lookman who had assisted him twice, failed to pass the ball to Osimhen. All hell was let loose by Osimhen.
He ran to Lookman, waving his fist and shouting at him for not giving him the ball. Despite intervention by team captain, Ndidi, Osimhen continued railing at Lookman as if he were some junior player. Interestingly Lookman is also a holder of African Footballer of the Year like Osimhen and even more recently. So why would Osimhen treat Lookman like that?
To worsen matters, Osimhen began strolling disinterestedly on the pitch and asking the coach to remove him which was done. After the match when the coach asked the players to go appreciate the fans at the stands, Osimhen instead stormed off the stadium still fuming. It was even reported that he threatened to quit the team and the tournament by Arise TV.
Osimhen’s action has since become a national topic, with a vast majority of Nigerians condemning his action and demanding he apologizes to the team. I totally subscribe to this. What Osimhen did amounted to gross indiscipline which should never be tolerated anywhere. His action was capable of disrupting team unity and causing division. Coming when the team was having an unusual flow made it all the more annoying. Osimhen should be made to understand that he’s not bigger than the team. He must be made to apologize to the boys and if that’s something that will make him leave let him go. I wouldn’t mind us losing than tolerating his rubbish. In fact, if the team crashes out now, Osimhen should be held responsible. His stupid ego should be tamed now, not tomorrow.
