Respected football administrator Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam has described the recent Victor Osimhen video outburst as childish and unnecessary.
Over the weekend, Osimhen publicly criticized the former national team coach, accusing him of suggesting that he feigned injury to miss the Super Eagles’ last two unsuccessful 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic during a meeting between the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Minister of Sports Development Senator John Owan Enoh.
Uchegbulam, however, advised a cautious and wise approach by the football governing body to the action of Napoli striker Osimhen against Nigerian football legend, coach Finidi George.
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While many call for severe sanctions against Osimhen for his behavior, Uchegbulam, who was once a former vice president of the NFF, cautioned against harsh punishment.
“Osimhen should not have insulted his coach and called him out by name. Finidi is older and more accomplished in football,” Uchegbulam told NationSports. “What happened was youthful exuberance.”
Uchegbulam advised the NFF to handle the situation delicately, suggesting that the striker needs guidance and support. “The NFF has to be cautious.
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If I were the NFF President, I would speak with him and his managers to manage him better,” Uchegbulam added. “He is still young, and we shouldn’t ruin his career over this unfortunate video rant.
Some call for his ban, but that is not the solution. The solution is to counsel him, call him to order, and let him know he was wrong.”
Uchegbulam emphasized the importance of managing Osimhen with wisdom to ensure his future contributions to Nigerian football.
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He also recommended that the NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, should ask Osimhen to issue a public apology to Finidi and Nigerians. “Finidi is a legend of Nigerian football and should not have been insulted in the first place,” he concluded.