Osimhen breaks silence after outburst on Finidi as Nigerians await public apology

Victor Osimhen recently ranted online over a report that suggested he faked an injury to avoid playing for the Super Eagles against South Africa and Benin Republic

Napoli forward Victor Osimhen has broken his silence following his online outburst against former Super Eagles coach Finidi George over allegations of faking an injury, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigerian international went live on Instagram to counter claims that Finidi accused him of feigning an injury to avoid participating in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic.

In a subsequent investigation by Colin Udoh, Soccernet.ng reported that Finidi, the former Ajax forward, did not make the statements attributed to him.

This revelation has sparked further reactions within the Nigerian football community, with many demanding an apology from Osimhen to Finidi.

Following the controversy, Osimhen made his first public reaction with a post on his Instagram story, which did not include an apology.

Victor Osimhen wishes Odion Ighalo hours after online rant

Instead, he wished former Watford forward Odion Ighalo a happy birthday. Other posts on his Instagram story showed him meeting and greeting the CEO of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Tony Elumelu, at an event, as well as a picture with former France International Louis Saha, while Nigerians await his public apology.

Victor Osimhen links up with Louis Saha
Victor Osimhen meets Tony Elumelu

In the meantime, Osimhen, who has been linked with a move away from Napoli, might need to reconsider his plans. Chelsea has reportedly withdrawn their interest in him, leaving Arsenal as the only Premier League club still showing interest.

Ayomide Oguntimehin

Ayomide Oguntimehin is a CAF-accredited sports journalist and an Editor at Soccernet.ng, with a proven track record in conducting interviews with Super Eagles stars such as William Troost-Ekong, Taiwo Awoniyi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ademola Lookman, and many others. He has also made a significant impact in breaking transfer news stories. Grounded in video editing, video journalism, social media management, and content strategy, Ayomide brings a wealth of expertise to his work. With a Bachelor's degree in English Language from Adeyemi College of Education and a Master's Degree in School Library and Media Technology from the University of Ibadan, Ayomide is well-prepared to excel in the field.

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  • While apology is being demanded from Osimhen l think a greater apology should come from the writer of the article and should be held accountable causing a rift between the coach and the player and at the same time for misleading the general public. l do believe there wouldn't be any outburst from such a decent, committed and dedicated player as Osimhen.
    ln fact this is a disgrace to the act of journalism in this country where falsehood and incitation seems to be the order of the day. This is unacceptable!

    • Nigeria journalists are practising jungle and confusion journalism. Very unlike the journalists of the old. They should help the coach in discovering good players in the four corners of the world instead. it was done before 1994 world cup. where players like Chidi Nwanu and others were discovered.

  • This is merely a distraction from non performing coach (finidi G) Apology or no Apology we have to tell the coach that his performance was not acceptable as a head coach of super eagles, I said this without any diplomacy. Management should note it down, from what we saw is not the person that can be trusted further,. My take,

  • Finidi no sabi coach even a roach, not to talk of stars. So him resigning is a good way forward for Naija football... And as for Osimehn, I just sorry for him, pride dey follow am bumper to bumper, e no see better person follow am talk truth.

    • My brother,no pride anywhere here, someone he begged to allow him come be part of a team he knows might struggle with out him, but refused, called him out and accused him of what he knows nothing about, Nigerians should learn to blame the right people, like he said, so, because he is a common footballer, he no longer has rights of speech, apologies my foot, has NFF apologized for destroying our football

      • you missed the point. it has been confirmed that Finidi never called Osineh out. A journey twisted and published falsehood that led to the wahala!

        But that said,, I agree that it was best for Finiti to step down. His man management was poor, way Before he was given the job permanently with what happened with Lookman in the match against Mali!

  • Good coaching includes managing erring players. You don't throw away good players that like that because of their shortcoming everybody seen to possess. However, the story seem fabricated to attract leadership. You don't also throw away a coach because he failed one bit.we also know that not all good players can make make good coaches. We do things any how here. We should thinker the issue of Sampson siasia. He has been an assets in Nigerian football. Amunike was also tested national team coach. But powers that be wanted it theur own way. So here we landed. Any thing that concerns the public Nigeria does not take serious. Foot ball, transportation/fuel. Minimum wage fuel subsidy. Intact is not trying for the ones it is ruling sorry.

  • etim Esin,Tarila okonwanta,Eboigbe,bright omokaro,Even Amokachi etc were stubborn in their days,there was no time the coaches handling these guys ever went on air to castigate them,these players had their moments of injuries,the coach never blames any of his defeats on them,instead of Finidi to apologize to Nigerians for causing his pain in those two matches he is waiting for apologize from Oshimen ,e go wait tire, Finidi insulted d fans saying nobody can te him what to do...the current England coach is under attack not for losing,bt for not winning well and playing well, yet he hasn't spoken back to the fans.

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