2013 AFCON Golden Boot winner demands more protection for Napoli star Osimhen

Osimhen is one of the best goalscorers in football, but his reputation ensures that he gets a lot of attention on and off the pitch

2013 Africa Cup of Nations Golden Boot winner Emmanuel Emenike has called for more protection for Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen, Soccernet.ng reports.

Osimhen has been the export from Nigeria in recent years. The 24-year-old striker has broken multiple records with Napoli in the Italian Serie A.

He scored 26 goals last season to become the first African to win the Serie A Capocannoniere. Osimhen’s heroics proved vital, helping Napoli win their first Scudetto since 1990. He also broke George Weah and Samuel Eto’o’s goalscoring in the league.

Osimhen’s brilliance has seen him linked to some of the top clubs in Europe like Chelsea, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, and PSG.

However, it would be a tough task to price him away from Naples as he is currently the joint-fourth most expensive player in the world per Transfermarkt.

Osimhen has also replicated his super displays with Nigeria. With 17 goals, he is joint-sixth with Samson Siasia on Nigeria’s goalscoring charts.

Retired Nigeria goal poacher Emenike who was one of Nigeria’s best players in the run-up to their 2013 Nations Cup victory believes Osimhen needs to be protected more.

“Osimhen needs to be protected more by his teammates, the coaches, and even the referee,” Emenike told Brila FM.

This is coming as he had to be taken off late in Nigeria’s 3-2 victory over Sierra Leone in the qualifiers for the 2023 AFCON qualifiers on Sunday.

Nonetheless, the Napoli superstar has enough time to rest and recuperate before pre-season in July. It could be a busy summer for the Lille man, as there is a possibility that he would leave Napoli this summer.