POWERFUL & DEFIANT: VICTOR OSIMHEN

By Emmanuel Muoboghare. 

Since yesterday, after the super Eagles defeated the Algerians, I’ve been waiting for the same media houses and pundits who almost crucified Victor Osimhen to come out and praise him. The boy single-handedly won us that game yesterday.

That “good football” everyone is admiring and enjoying now? It’s the same thing Osimhen was shouting at Ademola Lookman to implement when he said, “Bro, it’s a team play… it’s a team play… make una stop this nonsense wey una dey do.”

That’s me quoting Osimhen verbatim.

What a leader. What a fighter.

Yet after that particular game, Nigerian social media caught fire. Everyone suddenly wanted Osimhen’s head. I remember Rufai Useni of ARISE TV telling Osimhen to get out of the team and go back to Turkey if he wanted. I also remember Segun Agbede on Monday Night Football saying Osimhen should be dropped to “discipline” him.

Discipline him for what exactly?

For being a fighter? or for being a leader?

Yes, I agree he was a bit harsh on Lookman, but guys, these are the traits of winners.

Can any of you remember El Hadji Diouf at the 2002 AFCON and World Cup? He wasn’t the captain of that Senegal team, but he was the leader. Same Osimhen vibe. Arrogant, controversial, just like Luis Suárez. Uruguay never dropped Suárez because he was their best player even with all his controversies off and on the pitch. 

We’ve seen it time and time again: the Super Eagles struggle whenever Osimhen is not in the team. We missed the World Cup after his injury when Congo took over that game. Even at Galatasaray, they’re struggling without him since he left for AFCON.

I’m just thankful that Éric Chelle didn’t allow studio giants and social media pressure to lead him astray.

And to Nigerians: Victor will remain Victor. He will not change for your sake.

There was a certain Diego Costa who fought everyone on match days, even throwing his bib at José Mourinho, shouting at Antonio Conte to bring on Fàbregas, yet clubs used his nuisance value and won trophies.

Only in Africa will you see fans clamouring for the suspension of a vocal, passionate player.

To all of you who condemned and almost retired Osimhen from the national team, this is the moment to give him his flowers ????.

And to you, Victor: carry on. If shouting at everyone will bring the AFCON home, please shout, even at your coach. I support you. Just keep scoring and assisting.

His name is Victor... 

Osimhen.... 

Victor....Osimhen....