2023 CAF Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen has unleashed a fierce criticism of former Super Eagles head coach Finidi George during a fiery Instagram Live session.
The Napoli striker’s passionate tirade comes in response to alleged comments from Finidi that he would not beg Osimhen to play for the national team.
Osimhen’s Explosive Remarks
Osimhen, known for his dedication to the Nigerian national team, did not hold back in his Instagram Live session, where he expressed his deep frustration with Finidi George. The tension between the two seems to have arisen following Osimhen’s absence from Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin Republic.
In a ten-minute outburst, Osimhen declared that he had lost all respect for Finidi, accusing him of mishandling their communication. He revealed his attempts to join the team and support his teammates, only to feel disregarded by the coach.
“I will post the pictures also and the screenshots I had when I spoke to Finidi George (after he was appointed) because you all believe that someone keeping quiet because he is a footballer, ogun kill anybody, any of you that believe (I didn’t want to play for Nigeria). You can talk nonsense. I have lost respect I have for that man (Finidi), I have lost it all. I swear to God I have lost it now because why? I called him, told him to allow me come to the camp to be with the boys, I have all these recorded, to come talk to the boys,” Osimhen fumed.
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Breakdown in Communication
Osimhen’s rant highlights a significant breakdown in communication and trust between him and the former coaching staff. This rift appears to have contributed to Finidi’s eventual resignation.
Finidi George’s Tenure and Resignation
Finidi George, a celebrated former Super Eagles player, had a brief and tumultuous tenure as the head coach of the national team. Despite his decorated playing career, his time as coach was marked by inconsistent results, leading to his resignation. His tenure saw only one win in four matches, with the team struggling in their World Cup qualifiers, placing fifth in their group with three points from four games.
Moving Forward
As the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) seeks to stabilize the Super Eagles, addressing the internal discord exposed by Osimhen’s comments will be crucial.
