Nigerian football fans in Ebonyi State have hailed Super Eagles talisman, Victor Osimhen, over his Italian Serie A title feat with Napoli Football Club of Naples, Italy.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Osimhen’s 22nd goal of the season in a 1-1 draw with Udinese on Thursday night handed Napoli their first title in 33 years.
The league title win with five games to play was the club’s first since the late Diego Maradona’s inspired feat of 1990.
A cross section of fans interviewed by NAN on Friday in Abakaliki said that the feat was a bright spot in the gloom that has surrounded Nigeria’s football recently.
Ikenna Odo, a Member of the Ebonyi Football Association, said that it was heartwarming for the historic occasion to be centered around Osimhen.
“Victor has continued to be the shinning light of the nation’s football, churning impressive displays for his club weekly.
“He had weathered the early storms of Italian football such as its physical approach and racism, to become the toast of fans across the country,” he said.
Chief Julius Unya, a soccer historian, said that Osimhen was marked for stardom since his eye-popping displays at the FIFA Under-17 world cup in Chile, 2015.
“Osimhen was second overall best player of the competition with the silver ball award and scored 10 goals, a record for the cadet world cup,” he said.
Chima Achi, a Business man and Soccer Enthusiast, urged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to duly award its best player award for 2023 to Osimhen.
“The Nigerian striker has garnered all the plaudits since the start of the current European season with sublime goals and breath-taking displays.
“We pray that what happened in 1998 would not repeat when Nigeria’s Augustine Okocha clearly deserved the award but it was given to Mustapha Hadji of Morocco,” he said.
Mrs Rachel Obi, a Female Football Coach in Ebonyi, urged Osimhen and other Super Eagles players to replicate such club forms in the Super Eagles.
“We unfortunately do not see such commitment and scintillating displays with their various clubs, in the Super Eagles.
“The Eagles could not have been in their present wretched situation if the players play for the team with their hearts,” she said.
Football fans urge Osimhen to replicate club form for country
Meanwhile, the football fans called on Osimhen to replicate club form for the national team as Napoli bag Serie A title on Thursday night.
Some fans who spoke in an interview in Ilorin on Friday celebrated Osimhen and Napoli for the great feat.
Mr Thomas Ibenjo,said he wished Osimhen can replicate his Napoli form in the super eagles.
”I am happy for Osimhen for winning the Serie A in style. How I wish he can replicate the form in super eagles and drive us to glory again.
”He is instrumental to Napoli winning the Scudetto. We want him to also bring the form home to our darling super eagles and drive us to glory,” he said.
Olukunle Abiola said Osimhen has made a significant impact in his club but much is expected of him at home.
”He has performed excellently in Napoli this season. We the super eagles fans now want him to come and do same at home,” he said.
On his path, Ahmed Usman said he started supporting Napoli because of Osimhen who always give him Joy.
”I fell in love with Napoli because of Osimhen. I tried to watch all their matches because of his work rate and agility in every match.
”All I want from him now is to come and win the African Cup of Nation (AFCON) for Nigeria. Nigeria need him to come and write his name in golden pen,” he said.
Mr Femi Babatunde said that Osimhen has won the heart of Napoli fans but yet to win the hearts of Nigerian fans.
He said Osimhen was becoming more popular in Italy than Nigeria because of his performance.
”Osimhen should come home and win our hearts. Nigeria is your home and we deserve to celebrate major trophy during your own time,” he said.
Osimhen scored in the 52nd minute away to Udinese on Thursday night to hand Napoli its 3rd Serie A title after 33 years.
Napoli garnered 80 points from 33 games while second-placed Lazio are on have 64 points ,with five games left in the season.