Revealed: How the NFF pitted Osimhen against Super Eagles coach Finidi

Many saw the Finidi Vs Osimhen saga as another disagreement between player and coach that will fade with time. For some, this is the perfect occasion for the NFF to trample on the indiscipline among the national team players by harshly attacking Victor Osimhen.

This writer knows Victor Osimhen very well. I worked with him for almost two years as a media officer for the Nigerian national under-20 team and I don’t really need anyone to talk to me about his temperament. We ate together, traveled together, and spent nights having fun after dinner.

I really don’t need anyone to lecture me about his temperament, he is a warrior, a fighter and above all, he is the most patriotic footballer I have ever seen or known. His passion for the green, white and green jersey is second to none. His hunger for success is incredible and he has a big heart.

I remember that Under 20 Qualifier against Burundi in Bujumbura and the victory against Sudan in Omdurman. On both occasions, Osimhen rose to the occasion even though he was suffering from a knee injury and had to play through pain.

That tells you how passionate this young man is when he dresses in Green White Green. Then you will understand why he felt betrayed by the comments allegedly made by coach Finidi George, calling him unpatriotic.

Comments like this will hurt any true patriot, especially if they remember the sacrifices. Let’s also not forget that he claimed to have called to inform the coach of his injury after visiting his doctor in Wolfsburg and also pleaded with the coach that he would like to be at the camp to offer moral support to the boys at the expense of his own comfort. , which coach Finidi rejected

However, there is always the need to exercise caution and maintain a calm, collected and coordinated approach at all times, especially when you find yourself in that position where many now see you as their role model, mentor or icon.

As the reigning African Footballer of the Year, Osimhen fits these requirements perfectly and has even come to be classified as an idol to so many young footballers on the continent.

In an attempt to unravel the entire mystery surrounding the allegation allegedly made by Finidi that Osimhen and some others choose games that suit them and that most of these players are not patriotic, this writer has taken the time to dig deeper to find out what happened. in that meeting that was held inside the conference room of the Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports.

Now, what you are about to read below is the highlight of the meeting as narrated by two people who were privileged to be part of the meeting and agreed to speak only on the condition of anonymity.

*The meeting that matters*

The NFF delegation that attended the meeting held at the office of the Honorable Minister of Sports was led by NFF President Ibrahim Gusau. Also in the entourage are NFF First Vice President Anyansi Agwu, General Secretary Sanusi Mohammed, Team Secretary and Director of Competitions Dayo Enebi and NFF Technical Director Augustine Eguaveon completing the list.

The Minister of Sports, Senator John Enoh, invited the NFF and FInidi to explain Nigeria’s dismal performances in those two World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic and to propose solutions for the way forward. At some point during the deliberation, Super Eagles head coach Finidi George was asked to speak and he spoke his mind, without holding back.

*What Finidi said*

According to my source, Finidi blamed his players. He was furious at the way the players responded to the national calls, which some of us complained about in the build-up to these matches. My source said Finidi then assured the minister and his employers, the Nigerian football federation, that he has absolute confidence that the Super Eagles can still qualify for the World Cup if everyone puts in the work.

He said he is surprised that some players on the team have sponsors in the NFF. According to him, if he tries to trample on certain behaviors in the team, some people will remind him that the players in question belong to a member of the board of directors or a senior official of the NFF.

It was at this point that NFF technical director Augustine Eguaveon intervened and told Finidi that to be successful as a head coach, he needs to impose his authority, be decisive and brutal if necessary. Eguaveon gave an example of how he banished Yakubu Aiyegbeni to the bench because the former Portsmouth striker, who was doing so well in the Premier League at the time, thought he deserved an automatic shirt whenever he came to camp.

Finidi then responded by saying that he was going to change his approach from now on. He said that he will no longer tolerate these unpatriotic players in the national team. It was then that he said that a player like Osimhen could have taken the risk and come to play for Nigeria if he really wanted to do so. This is according to my sources.

However, I am not sure that Finidi made this comment to accuse Osimhen. At the time he dropped that line, he was trying hard to keep his job and make his employers see him as a man who can wield the big stick when it really matters. He was also looking for a name to balance his thoughts and his anger and unfortunately, Osimhen became the scapegoat.

At that meeting, the NFF did not tell Finidi, in the presence of the Sports Minister, that they had plans to hire a foreign technical advisor. However, he could have offended the gods by revealing during that meeting with the minister that some of the best players in the federation are godfathers of the Super Eagles players and that explains why they are seen as the untouchables.

No wonder the decision was made behind him to hire a foreign technical advisor and demote the former Enyimba of Aba coach to assistant coach. Finidi immediately found out about this plan and quickly submitted his resignation letter.

In fact, his first letter sent to the NFF was unsigned, so he was asked to remove it and sign it before sending it again.

*How did Osimhen find out what Finidi said or didn’t say?*

It will also interest you all to know that there are senior Nigerian football officials who are on the payroll of Nigerian footballers. I know a footballer who once gave an administrator of the previous board a wristwatch valued at more than 40,000 euros. I’m also aware that every Super Eagles team list comes with a price.

Before a Super Eagles team list is released, there are a lot of stakes at stake and most players, barring star names like Osimhen, Lookman, Nwabali and a few others, come to the Super Eagles camp armed with gifts for their godparents.

That’s why these Godfathers will do anything to please the players in return. There are also the secretariat staff who have their ears open and publish this information daily to gain favors. So it baffles me that anyone would be surprised that Osimhen got insider information about what happened at the meeting. He is too connected and too rich to be left in the dark.

Now that it has been established, based on the available facts, that Finidi alleged that Osimhen and some others are not 100% patriotic to the national cause, it is on that basis that we will now judge the Instagram live video posted by Osimhen and issue a trial thereafter.

*Osimhen has no reason to continue living the way he did and his choice of words that day is not acceptable*

Victor Osimhen is a renowned superstar. The reigning African footballer of the year, a Nigerian player who is now idolized in Naples. I remember that in one of my recent interviews with him in Abidjan, during the recent AFCON, I saw some die-hard fans who had traveled from Naples to Coted’viore, just to support the best footballer to play after Diego Amando Maradona. for the club.

Taking all this into account, Victor Osimhen should know the weight of any comments he makes. He must learn to speak at all times to impress his fans and promote his brand regardless of his frustrations, obsessions or irritations.

Secondly, because of his personality, class and position, he should not always be the one to do the talking, he should delegate these responsibilities, especially reactions to sensitive topics like this, to his manager, agents or trusted friends. Your choice of words matters too.

In all, Osimhen, with that singular act, has degraded himself from that exalted seat of an icon in the hearts of his die-hard fans. To attack his coach the way he did and generalize the attack to include Nigeria and Nigerians is degrading to say the least. As a friend who cares and appreciates your talent, I make this passionate appeal to you. Please come out and apologize to Coach Finidi and everyone affected by his comments and rudeness. Say it for the sake of posterity.

Believe me, I wouldn’t have bothered doing this if I didn’t care about your present and your future. A stitch in time saves nine.

Adewale Ajayi writes from Canada.