‘Don’t put your failure on me’ — Osimhen tackles Finidi over report of ‘dodging’ Eagles games

Victor Oshimhen says he has “lost the respect” he had for Finidi George, the recently departed head coach of the Super Eagles.

Osimhen spoke in a live session on his Instagram account on Saturday.

He was reacting to reports which claimed Finidi hinted that the Napoli striker feigned injury to skip recent Eagles games.

The reports alleged that the manager made the claim at a recent meeting with John Enoh, minister of sports development, and top officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).

Osimhen was initially named in the squad list for the recent Eagles World Cup qualification clash against South Africa and the Benin Republic.

But he pulled out due to injury and was replaced by Kenneth Igboke, Enugu Rangers’ left-back.

Reacting to claims attributed to Finidi, Osimhen said he “will not address anything, and I will let anyone believe whatever they want”, but he “will not allow disrespect from anybody”.

He clarified that he spoke with Finidi after he did a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the injury.

The 25-year-old added that he told Finidi to “allow me to stay with the players in the camp” despite the injury, but the coach told him to stay with his “family”.

“I did the MRI scan, and the next day, I was called by the doctor to his office. Immediately, I called Finidi and I told one of my guys to do the video of my conversation with Finidi. I will not address anything, and I will let anyone believe whatever they want. Everybody knows that whether I am playing for Eagles or Napoli, I play with my heart out,” Osimhen said.

“But I will not allow disrespect from anybody. I will not allow that nonsense. I will not allow rubbish on my name. I do not care if what Finidi said is false or whatever. I will post the video and screenshots of my conversation with Finidi. I have lost the respect I have for that man.

“I asked Finidi George to allow me to stay with the players in the camp, but Finidi asked me not to bother and that I should stay with my family.”

The Super Eagles drew 1-1 against South Africa and lost 2-1 to the Benin Republic. The results put mounting pressure on Finidi, who quit the Eagles job on Saturday.