Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has criticized coach Finidi George, stating that he has lost respect for him due to comments about his attitude towards the national team.
Finidi, who reportedly resigned as the head coach of the Super Eagles on Saturday, was quoted saying he wouldn’t beg Osimhen to play for the national team after the striker withdrew from the last two 2026 World Cup qualifiers due to injury. Osimhen had been sidelined for four weeks and was replaced by Enugu Rangers defender Kenneth Igboke.
Following the Super Eagles’ poor performances against South Africa and Benin Republic, an online report suggested that Finidi blamed Osimhen’s absence for the team’s struggles. Finidi allegedly raised this issue during a meeting with the Nigeria Football Federation chiefs and Sports Minister John Enoh in Abuja.
Infuriated by these comments, Osimhen addressed the situation in a live Instagram video on Saturday. He detailed the circumstances of his withdrawal from the last two World Cup qualifiers and asserted that Finidi was fully informed by both him and his doctor.
“I knew things like this would happen, which is why I have the videos and screenshots of when I called Finidi while I was with the doctor in Germany,” Osimhen explained. “I got injured in our (Napoli’s) last game against Lecce and went for an MRI scan. I called Finidi to let him hear from the doctor too.”
Osimhen continued, “I asked Finidi to allow me to come to the camp to be with the boys, and I spoke to some of my teammates, but he said I should be with my family.”
“Everyone knows I play my heart out for both club and country. I’ll share the screenshots and videos of my conversation with Finidi for those who believe what he said. I’ve lost respect for that man because I always respect people before I disrespect them.”
In Finidi’s first game in charge, Nigeria drew 1-1 with South Africa in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and suffered a 2-1 defeat against Benin Republic in Abidjan. These results left the Super Eagles with just three points after four games in Group C of the qualifiers.
Finidi reportedly resigned from the national team two days after the NFF announced plans to hire a foreign technical adviser.