Recently, Italian Serie A giants, Napoli put up a disgusting act and instantly incurred the wrath of their most prized asset, Victor Osimhen, whom they mocked twice in TikTok videos. As if they feel that the most expensive player from Africa is super human, the club was upset that he missed a penalty in their match against Bologna.
While the first video mocked his penalty, the second compared the Nigerian striker to a coconut. The irresponsible behaviour of the club immediately attracted wide condemnation as football fans around the world expressed shock at the behaviour of one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
In fact, Napoli got more than what they bargained for from Osimhen. First his manager, Roberto Calenda, threatened legal action against the club. And a few hours after his manager’s comment, the no nonsense Osimhen removed almost all Napoli-related photos from his instagram, including last season’s Scudetto celebrations.
By their actions, Osimhen and his manager had declared total war against the reigning Serie A champions. In view of the storm that was fast gathering, the club issued a statement on Thursday but came short of apologising to the aggrieved player. All Napoli could say was that they hold their asset, Osimhen in high esteem and wouldn’t do anything to embarrass or make fun of him. But it was certainly not the kind of apology that the Nigerian and his fans were expecting from Napoli.
The unwarranted attack on Osimhen indeed came as a rude shock to many because apart from being one of the most sought after strikers in European football, he has done so much for the club in three years.
In fact, in the 2022/2023 season, he was instrumental to the revival of Napoli. He finished the season as the top scorer with 26 goals to become the first African to achieve the feat. In addition, he emerged the highest scoring African player in Serie A with 47 goals overtaking George Weah’s previous record of 46 goals. Without a doubt, Osimhen almost single handedly lifted Napoli to their first Scudetto since 1990 when they had the legendary Diego Armando Maradona with them.
It is also important to state here that it is because of his commitment to Napoli that Osimhen is presently using a protective mask. In November 2021, he suffered a horrific head injury and a fractured skull and eye socket in Napoli’s 3-2 loss to Inter Milan at the San Siro. He underwent a major surgery and had to miss the AFCON in Cameroon. Osimhen didn’t sustain the injury in his bedroom. It happened on the battlefield of San Siro where he was fighting to score for Napoli.
And over the course of the summer, he was the transfer target of some of the biggest clubs in Europe but Osimhen showed his loyalty to Napoli by accepting to stay back. When the Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal reportedly tabled an astonishing $154.5m offer to lure him to the Middle East, most people, especially Nigerians said he shouldn’t reject the mouth-watering offer. Surprisingly, Osimhen didn’t go for the billions of Naira. He lost so much for Napoli to gain. Yet, it was this same loyal servant that the club chose to ridicule publicly.
What Napoli did to Osimhen is nothing but indirect racism. It goes to show how contemptuous some of the European clubs treat African players. No matter how stupendously talented an African player is, he is not given the kind of respect that even average European players enjoy. It is too early to forget how Liverpool undermined Sadio Mane before he was sold to Bayern Munich. Things moved from bad to worse for him at the German club. At the moment, the immensely talented Senegalese captain is playing for Saudi Pro League club, Al Nassr.
Napoli may argue that what they did was a light-hearted and playful joke with “no intention of mockery or derision”, but it is doubtful because an African player is involved. They haven’t done such a thing to any of his European teammates so anyone who perceives Napoli’s action towards Osimhen as racism is not far from the truth.
The player is right to feel aggrieved. And I commend the Federal Government for its show of solidarity with the Super Eagles marksman. On Thursday, the Minister of Sports, Senator John Owan Enoh, stepped into the controversy as he announced his decision to reach out to the government of Italy, Napoli and the victim, Osimhen.
He also said he was in touch with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar and the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Italy, Ambassador Mfawa Abam, in order to deploy diplomatic means to solve the problem. The Minister’s approach is laudable because it will send the right signal to everyone not to toy around with Nigerian athletes wherever they may find themselves.
Without any doubt, Napoli have inadvertently bitten their nose to spite their face because Osimhen is a born fighter. People who grew up in ‘trenches’ are usually tough characters. They fight to the finish. The striker’s reaction after he scored in Napoli’s last victory over Udinese was a dangerous signal. Osimhen refused to celebrate the goal. If they can read the writing on the wall, Napoli should be worried about this.
Even as his manager has come out to say they are no longer going to seek legal redress, I doubt if Osimhen will remain that same player who gave everything at all times for Napoli to win. Although he still has more than a year left of his contract, I am sure that all the top clubs that have been eying the gangling striker will henceforth have easy access to him.
Honestly, some things are hard to comprehend. I am still trying to figure out what came over Napoli that made them indulge in that childish and silly act. Osimhen is not an ordinary player. In club and national colours, he is always eager to play and win. There is no friendly or competitive match for Osimhen. Even when he returns to his ‘trenches’ to play street football, he puts in so much energy as if he is playing a cup final. Such players are not common.
Therefore, I want to conclude that if a single miss is enough reason for Napoli to quickly forget the dozens of goals that Osimhen has scored for them in less than three years, they are disgusting ingrates. The Super Eagles deadly striker deserves more respect from Napoli.
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