Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has openly criticized former Nigeria head coach Finidi George, following accusations that the forward withdrew from national team duties due to minor injuries.
Nigeria’s national football team is currently facing significant challenges, with Finidi George resigning less than two months after replacing Jose Peseiro.
The team’s recent performances have been underwhelming, impacting their qualification hopes for the 2026 World Cup.
A 1-1 draw against South Africa, followed by a 2-1 loss to Benin, has left Nigeria in a precarious position, sitting fifth in Group C with only three points from four matches.
Prior to his resignation, Finidi George had a meeting with Nigeria’s sports minister, John Enoh, and senior officials from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
During this meeting, Finidi reportedly questioned Osimhen’s dedication to the national team, suggesting that the player might be avoiding participation in games due to minor injuries.
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‘Finidi said the Napoli striker could still have managed to play these matches,’ a source told Politics Nigeria.
‘The coach went on to say that it appears that Osimhen chooses the games he plays for Nigeria and he cannot beg him to play for his country.’
Meanwhile Osimhen says he suffered an ankle injury against Lecce on May 25 and was told by Finidi not to link up with Nigeria’s national team for their two World Cup qualifiers this month following the results of the MRI scan.
And the Napoli striker has now angrily hit back at Finidi’s claims during an Instagram live video on Saturday.
‘I won’t let anyone believe anything about me, I don’t just address anything, everybody knows when I play for Nigeria I play my heart out.
I just let everything go, but I won’t disrespect from anybody,’ an irate Osimhen said during the video.
‘I knew things like these would happen and that’s why I have the videos and screenshots of when I called Finidi while I was with the doctor in Germany.
‘I got an injury in the last match I played against Lecce, in the last minutes, on my ankle, and I went to the MRI scan.
And I called Finidi there for him to listen to the doctor too.
‘I called him [Finidi] and asked him to allow me to come to the camp to be with the boys and I spoke to some of my teammates too but he said I have to be with my family.
‘I’ll share the screenshot and videos of my conversation with Finidi for the sake of those believing what Finidi said.
‘I’ve lost respect for that man because before I disrespect anybody, I always respect them.’
Nigeria performance in the upcoming matches will be crucial in determining their chances of making it to the 2026 World Cup.
