It can’t be denied.
Victor Osimhen has been the force that has propelled Nigeria’s Super Eagles in recent years.
His goals, his drive and his passion on and off the pitch, have been nothing but incredible.
Here, in Morocco, the name that foreign fans mention to identify with the team and support it, especially Moroccans, is Osimhen’s.
He has forged, what’s emerging as one of the most potent attacking partnerships in Africa, with Ademola Lookman.
They share similarities, no doubt. They are both winners of African Footballer of the Year award, and have scored most goals for the team. They’ve had a frightening telepathic presence in the box.
I’ve had to dig deep into the goals and the celebrations between these two players, after the incident in the game against Mozambique, and I also join others, in condemning the outbursts and the behaviour of Osimhen. It was clearly unnecessary, smacks of pride, arrogance, and could damage his career.
But rather than see this, completely from the point of condemnation, It should be seen from the point of help. Osimhen needs help to balance his stupendous talents with the right attitude, to contain his frustrations and his instincts to give his all in the national team.
That was a show of shame.
But if Ademola Lookman and the rest of team took it all with philosophical calmness, we owe the team a duty not to blow the issue out of proportions.
As the team continues to offer champagne football in Morocco and look good for the title, the danger factor of Osimhen to the opponents, is something still needed more.
While no one is indispensable and bigger than a whole nation, Osimhen couldn’t have been a bigger brat than Tarila Okorowanta, Etim Esin or Mario Balotteli.
The number one psychologist in any football team is the manager. Eric Chelle has got a huge job in his hands to quickly mend the crack and prevent it from escalating.
Chelle is at the threshold of history. He’s returning the Eagles to tradition, and winning the trophy is the icing for him and for Nigerians who have been thirsty for another AFCON title .
He needs to fix the conundrum before him. The Osimhen and Lookman face-off isn’t something to toy with.
Most importantly, the media shouldn’t aggravate this because there’s madness in every newsroom too, but the job goes on.
