By Ibrahim Sofiyullaha
In football, the normal course of events often witnesses opposition fans engaging in the practice of belittling and mocking players from rival teams. A standard occurrence within the spirited world of the game. However, when such derogation emanates from within, particularly from a club’s official platform, it elevates the disconcerting nature of the situation to a truly alarming level.
What unfolded today with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen was different—a now-deleted TikTok video posted by the club’s official account. The video, which featured Osimhen, depicted a moment that could happen to any footballer—an unfortunate missed penalty in their most recent game.
It was not the miss itself that raised eyebrows but the evident sound of mockery accompanying the footage. This departure from the customary respect for players, especially from within their own club, accentuated the belief that the incident deserved greater scrutiny and reflection within the footballing community
This video, marked by a tone of jeering, has reignited a smoldering fire within the hearts of the Nigerian international fans, reminding them of a series of unsettling events that transpired not too long ago. At the end of the last season, Serie A’s decision to spotlight Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in a graphic posted on their social media accounts, placing him ahead of Victor Osimhen, sent ripples of discontent through the footballing world.
The TikTok video was akin to tossing a live grenade into the heart of an already combustible situation. As the video went live, something curious occurred—the comment section was inexplicably disabled, leaving a palpable sense of anticipation hanging in the air. It was as if Napoli’s account handler, foreseeing the storm brewing on the horizon, sought to shield itself from the imminent backlash.
The deliberate disabling of the comment section strongly indicated that the act was intentional, seemingly aimed at provoking an already frustrated audience.
Victor Osimhen’s Stats Last Season
Victor Osimhen had a stellar season for Napoli in 2022/23, scoring 26 goals in 32 Serie A appearances. He was also Napoli’s top scorer in the Champions League, with 5 goals in 5 matches.
Osimhen’s goalscoring record was even more impressive considering that he missed several games due to injury. He also had to deal with the disruption of AFCON in January.
He had 55 shots on target from a total of 105 shots with an expected goal (xG) value of 24.28. Osimhen also averaged 12 passes per match with a pass completion rate of 71% and provided 4 assists.
Osimhen’s Clash with the Coach in the Last Match
During the Italian club’s recent match against Bologna, Osimhen displayed visible anger when he was substituted, tossing his jacket aside as he made his way out of the pitch.
Napoli’s captain, Di Lorenzo, addressing the incident told DAZN, “We manage certain episodes within the locker room. These become more evident when things go wrong.
“In these moments we don’t need such an attitude, we need to be united and focused on the objective. We will talk to the group and the coach to resolve it.
“We don’t like to be behind in the championship, even if only at the beginning.”
In a subsequent development, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported that Osimhen had addressed the issue with manager Rudi Garcia and his Napoli teammates.
Romano tweeted: “More on Victor Osimhen. His message to the Napoli squad today was positive — and it was to react after the draw.
Osimhen always wants to win games — that’s why he spoke to Garcia after being subbed off vs Bologna.
Positive, strong message to the team as leader once again”
While it’s possible that Osimhen’s visible frustration during his substitution may have contributed to the TikTok video incident, it’s crucial to emphasize that resorting to such tactics is not the right course of action.
In the world of football, as in life, it’s a widely accepted principle that two wrongs do not make a right. While addressing issues and conflicts is essential, it should be done through proper channels and in a manner that upholds respect, unity, and sportsmanship, all of which are integral values in the beautiful game.