Osimhen became the first Nigerian to win the CAF Player of the Year award since Nwankwo Kanu last won the same in 1994.
Super Eagles forward and CAF Player of the Year, Victor James Osimhen, has come out to clarify that he was not treated maliciously by his club side, in light of the viral TikTok video that mocked him, Soccernet.ng reports.
Osimhen, 24, enjoyed a stellar 18-month stint in Naples that saw him lift the Scudetto, cart away with the Capocannoniere award and the AIC award.
The former Lille man also placed 8th in the Ballon d'Or rankings, before sweeping Mohammed Salah and Achraf Hakimi aside to bag the CAF Player of the Year award in style.
Speaking in his press conference after the ceremony, the Napoli striker clarified that the video was the mistake of an individual at the club, not of the entire club.
“First of all, I have to correct an impression. I wasn't treated badly by Napoli or ADL. It was just a stupid mistake by an individual who used such a thing to joke at a crucial moment and I wasn't happy about it.”
The former VFL Wolfsburg striker was also grateful for the support he received from the club's president, and wants to put the issue behind him.
“ADL, his son Eduardo, and a lot of them stood with me, and they made sure the individual was dealt with, which was the most important thing for me. I spoke to the person in charge and he was remorseful, and we sorted out everything, so I'm happy with them. I look towards the future now, as all of that is behind me and now in the past.”
Two days after he was crowned the African Player of The Year, Osimhen found his scoring touch as his sleek back-heel sent Napoli to the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League.
Wow, this is really great!