- Safiu Kehinde
Former Super Eagles player, Odion Ighalo, has backed embattled Napoli’s player, Victor Osimhen, after failed transfer saga and demotion from Antonio Conte’s squad list for the 2024/2025 Serie A season.
Amid heavy criticism from football fans across the country, Ighalo took to his X handle earlier today to drum support for Osimhen while condemning his critics.
Ighalo said being criticized by his fellow countrymen is undeserving, considering his commitment and sacrifice to the national team.
“No human being is perfect and we have all made mistakes in life, but seeing comments about this young man from his own country people makes me really sad, without even knowing what happened, I spoke to him and I can feel the pain in his voice, the way he’s been treated, this young man play with heart and pains for his country, Hmmm it’s well, he will definitely be back stronger, we learn everyday…” Ighalo wrote.
While some netizens backed Ighalo’s support for Osimhen, others chastised him.
“Big ups for standing up for your boy and countryman as always. Not the first time he’ll face a tough challenge in his career and as his name implies, he’ll be victorious in all of these.” An X user, Asiwaju Lerry commented.
Another X user, Edafe Peters, expressed his disappointment with Nigerians criticizing Osimhen.
“I see post of some Nigerians on X criticizing their own blood Osimhen and i shake my head and weep in my mind like the hatred y’all throw on your own is beyond my imagination but las las everybody go day alright…. I stand with Osimhen till the end of time” he wrote.
For Deno, Nigerians are unappreciative.
“Nigerians don’t appreciate their own” He commented.
However, some netizens denied claims of criticism against Osimhen with some stressing that Nigerians had no influence on his decision.
Moreover, some labelled Osimhen’s challenge as consequences of his action against former Super Eagles coach, Finidi George while accusing Ighalo of wrongly influencing him.
“What is this nonsense? Did the country men made the decisions for him? If you don’t have anything reasonable to say just rest.
“I am sure you will be one of those advising him to stay put in Napoli and not move forward with his career.” Akorede Omo Oba wrote.
“You mean Finidi no work hard and fight for his country ? Karma is a bitch. All of you are so blind, thinking Napoli doesn’t know that Osimhen could do the same to them because his behavior was unprofessional and thuggish.” Another X used Hon. Kunle wrote.
“What do Nigerians have to do with his current debacle? There’ll always be a reaction from fans. How does that influence his choices? Let’s be reasonable.” Juba Oluwaseun opined.