Former Super Eagles head coach and current Rivers United manager, Finidi George, has publicly addressed the recent controversy surrounding Napoli striker Victor Osimhen. This follows Osimhen's viral social media tirade, in which he criticized George after Nigeria's defeat in a crucial World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Benin.
In an interview with Nigeria Info FM, Finidi George revealed that he reached out to Osimhen after the striker's outburst, advising him that his reaction was inappropriate. "I sent him a message letting him know it wasn’t the best way to handle things. Someone told him the coach said something, and he reacted as if I had spoken about him in an interview," George stated.
Despite this communication, George noted that he has not heard back from Osimhen since sending the message. "From that point, I didn’t hear from him. I moved on and I wish everybody well; only God will judge," he added, indicating his desire to move past the incident.
Furthermore, George confirmed that Osimhen did send him a message, but it was later deleted. He expressed disappointment that Osimhen has yet to offer an apology for the disrespect shown during the social media rant. "He has made a mistake, but we’ve moved on, and life goes on," George remarked, emphasizing the importance of accountability in professional sports.
The fallout from this incident has sparked significant debate within the Nigerian football community regarding player conduct and the responsibilities of coaches. As tensions ease, both George and Osimhen appear to be focused on their respective roles in Nigerian football, with George managing Rivers United and Osimhen continuing to represent Nigeria on the international stage.