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The World Cup qualifiers are over-for now, with most fans shifting attention back to club football, where excitement varies by location and division. One of the many certified professionals who continue to deliver matchday excitement is a Nigerian who has risen from humble beginnings to global stardom, and now regarded as one of the best in the world – Victor Osimhen.
Minutes after the Super Eagles’ unexpected 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe in Uyo, the reaction from the stands mirrored the disappointment on the pitch. Frustration was evident as fans and players struggled with the growing reality of another potential World Cup miss.
Osimhen was visibly angry and distraught. He had done his job by scoring, and after being tactically substituted, he anxiously counted the seconds on the bench, hoping for a celebratory finish – but that wasn’t the case. His reaction, as teammate and namesake Victor Boniface attempted to engage him in conversation, sparked debate on social media, with Nigerians questioning whether it was appropriate – regardless of the outcome.
Some considered the Lagos-born forward haughty, while others placed his reaction on the platter of passion. Regardless of where you stand, one thing is clear: Osimhen, like many who’ve who’ve gone through the furnace of life in their bid to burn globally struggle with defeat.
Growing up in a modest household, football was his escape from the struggles of daily life. Like many Nigerian children, he honed his skills on the streets, playing barefoot with friends. His talent was evident from an early age, and he quickly gained recognition within local football circles.
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His big break arrived in 2015 as a member of the Nigeria team listed to compete at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile – a turning point in his career. Whatever he touched turned to goals, as he scored 10 times in seven matches, leading Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets to their fifth title in the competition. His outstanding performances earned him the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer and the Silver Ball as the second-best player.
It wouldn’t take a soothsayer to predict that the future belonged to Osimhen. At Wolfsburg the transition from youth football to the professional ranks was not smooth, but his resilience kept him going and the next route was to Belgium, joining Charleroi on loan in 2018. That move proved to be a masterstroke as he scored 20 goals in 36 games, reigniting his career.
Next came French club Lille, who signed him in 2019. In his debut season in Ligue 1, Osimhen netted 18 goals across all competitions, earning him the title of Lille’s Player of the Season. One Christmas later, it was time for him to add Italian to his list of languages, as he moved to Napoli for a club-record fee of around €70 million.
Until the end of time, there will be no tales from Naples without the name Osimhen being mentioned for his pivotal role in the 2022-23 season where he inspired Napoli to their first league title since 1990 and won the Capocannoniere award as Serie A’s top scorer.
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The desire to conquer new territories, coupled with Napoli’s firm stance on their valuation of the Nigerian, Nigerian prepared a not too pleasant table for Osimhen. A loan move to 24-time Turkish Super League champions Galatasaray offered a welcome respite.
Back home, Osimhen continues the tradition of Nigeria producing world-class players who shine in top European leagues and achieve great success with every team they represent. His quality earned global recognition, as he finished eighth at the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony, becoming the first Nigerian to make the top ten of the prestigious French award. He was also named the African Footballer of the Year at the 2023 CAF Awards, marking the first time a Nigerian has received this honor since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.
At just 26-years-old, it’s evident his best years are ahead of him, but there is need for continuous development and the right career moves to brighten his pathway to becoming one the greatest African strikers of all time. And with 11 goals behind the late great Rashidi Yekini, the odds are in his favor to become the highest scoring Super Eagles player.
