Osimhen’s critics continue to eat their words

by Thando Mpembe

Monday Apr 29, 2024. 16:50

Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen has been a hot topic in European football since he was instrumental in Napoli’s Serie A triumph last season. And with the rumour mill going about where he’s headed to next with an exit from the Italian team imminent, it begs the question, why would he want to switch his allegiance?

Where the hype comes from…

Last season, Osimhen netted 26 league goals for Napoli and he also scored five in the UEFA Champions League. This caught the attention of fans and the media alike for his performances as he quickly cemented himself as one of the best strikers in the world.

Even though he only scored one goal in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), he was a crucial part of Nigeria’s squad as they made it to the final of the tournament. He played through the competition with abdominal discomfort, but still managed to shine regardless.

Hitting bumps with Napoli

In September 2023, a viral TikTok video posted on Napoli’s official account caused an outrage as the football community accused the club of racism. The fact that they had a torrid start to the season after clinching the Scudetto didn’t help matters either.

The controversial video was labelled “overtly racist”. In the clip, the admin appears to compare Osimhen to a coconut, with the fruit used over Osimhen’s face with a high-pitched voice mimicking penalty claims. His agent went on to say that he would likely be taking legal action for the incident.

Turning pain into power

Despite the disappointment that the striker faced with his club, he continued to play after a little break and has hit double figures once again this season, netting 16 goals across all competitions. Even though the tally is not the same as it was last season, it is still pretty impressive.

Osimhen has had to cope with health issues and unwanted attention from the media this season, but has still managed to come out on top and keep his doubters at bay.

Does the journey end with Napoli?

With everything said, it appears as though Victor Osimhen has his sights set on leaving Napoli. He inspired the team’s latest 4-2 win over Monza in the league and it’s hard to imagine what they’ll look like without his services in front of goal.

According to reports, a number of clubs are interested in signing the player over the summer transfer window. It is said that it is English clubs in particular who want Osimhen’s signature.

Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea seem to want the striker’s services. And some think he’s having a bad season.

It might not be his best season by his standards, but with Europe’s big guns looking to bag the 25-year-old, the door is still open for Osimhen to reach new levels in his career and start afresh.