By Daniel Edu
The head coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Jose Peseiro, has acknowledged that Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is currently unhappy, despite finishing 8th in the 2023 Ballon d’Or rankings. Osimhen, who plays for Napoli, has been battling a hamstring injury sustained while representing Nigeria in October.
Peseiro encouraged the 24-year-old forward to stay positive and maintain his efforts while recovering from the injury, which has kept him out of action for Napoli since October 8. Although Osimhen is set to return to Napoli after spending time in Nigeria, he will not be playing against Union Berlin in the UEFA Champions League match later tonight.
Additionally, Coach Peseiro has ruled Osimhen out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Lesotho scheduled for this month. Despite the recent challenges, Osimhen remains a contender for the 2023 CAF Player of the Year award due to his outstanding performance last season.
Peseiro expressed his admiration for Osimhen’s achievement in the Ballon d’Or rankings, stating, “To have come eighth in the world and first in Africa in this voting is extraordinary.” He acknowledged Osimhen’s current dissatisfaction, mentioning the injury, transfer market rumors, contract issues, and a TikTok video incident that have surrounded the player recently.
The coach emphasized Osimhen’s determination to return to the pitch soon, highlighting his exceptional abilities and predicting continued interest from top clubs worldwide. Osimhen, who has scored six goals in eight games for Napoli this season, is expected to undergo further testing upon his return to Naples to assess his recovery progress, with plans for his return to the field by the end of this month.
