Photo Credit - Nigeria Super Eagles.
Nigerian fans have reacted to the video showing striker Victor Osimhen reacting angrily at the final whistle of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture against Zimbabwe which ended in a 1-1 draw at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday.
Having revived their qualification with a 2-0 win against Rwanda in their matchday five fixture at Amahoro Stadium three days ago, the Super Eagles needed another win against the Warriors to climb up Group C and stay in contention.
However, after taking a deserved lead courtesy of Osimhen, who had scored a brace against Amavubi, they were stunned when Tawanda Chirewa scored a precise 90th-minute strike to level the scores.
At the end of the final whistle, Osimhen, who features for Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig, was agitated with the outcome, and was seen throwing hands in the air and despite efforts by several players and a club official to calm him down, he kept throwing his hands until he left the pitch.
Botikie Moreri Botikie opened the debate on social media by saying: “He claims he is bigger than all in Africa and Zimbabwe humbled him, he needs to man up,” while Bryan Hector Seko wrote: “I’m actually more annoyed by the people, who are trying to calm him down, they’re giving him exactly what he’s looking for, they should have left him to walk away without entertaining his childish behaviour.”
Bra OD wrote in the heated debate: “Then he (Osimhen) should have scored five goals to avoid this disappointment,” while Maje Mphahlele posed a question: “You score one goal, and suddenly you're better than all players? ... Please, calm down,” while Christofer Chris said: “His pride will be his downfall, he better not behave like he is the king, teamwork is needed.”
“He must be a team player, we win as a team and lose as a team, or else he might as well play alone if he feels he is better than everyone,” said Cloudius Chuene, while DK Muluko wrote: “He must score and go back defend if he thinks he's above everyone.”
Tukza Chama Boy opined: “Football is a team sport. This drama queen should play tennis, not football. If he scores and the team wins he wants to be praised and when it draws or loses, it’s his teammates fault,” while Jan Yingwa said: “They must fine him for such behavior. Why is he treating his own teammates like this?”
Mungadi Richard wondered Osimhen’s whereas he was on the pitch and should have scored more goals to deny Zimbabwe comeback: “He was part of the team, why is he claiming others, he should have scored many goal for them to win, anyway am happy as a South African, well done Zimbabwe, you are the true brothers of mzansi. One or two of us must qualify.”
Phanuel Masangu wrote: “Very childish and arrogant behaviour from this Osimhen boy. This is the kind of attitude he displayed towards Finidi George. Disappointing,” while James Crwo posed a question: “Who is he angry at, because as far as I am concerned, he was also on the pitch?”
“This is unsportsmanlike, when they won against Bafana going to the finals he was in celebratory mode with the very same team and players, and today things didn’t go well and he’s upping arms ...Football is a game of three results, win, draw or lose. It’s not like they’ll be the first team not to go to the World Cup,” said Mshengu Gift Tshabalala.
Bonginkosi Nkosi was among those to defend the former Napoli striker’ behavior by saying: “That is a team player there, better luck next time Osimhen and I know you're going to score in the next game.”
Lindokuhle Masinga wrote: “He is not making himself better, his disappointment isn't about making himself better. That result is probably the writing on the wall for Nigeria’s qualification, he is what you think he is but he was not taking it in that way here, just passion of the game if you having a winning mentality.
He continued: "He worked hard throughout the two games and put his country in the finish line to get maximum points but his team failed to hold on the last 10 minutes and his World Cup dream is fading right in his eyes and it not a good feeling.”
The draw saw Nigeria remain fourth with seven points, while South Africa cemented their top position following a 2-0 away win against Benin at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny.
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