Osimhen: Passion or Arrogance?

 Nigeria defeated Mozambique 4–0 in the ongoing AFCON tournament, a convincing performance that should have dominated post-match discussion. Instead, what lingered in the minds of many observers were a few seconds of on-field tension involving Victor Osimhen.

During the match, Osimhen was visibly upset after Ademola Lookman failed to release the ball early. He berated Lookman, snapped at the team captain, and nearly escalated into a confrontation, even with an opposing player who attempted to calm him down. After the final whistle, Osimhen asked to be substituted and walked straight down the tunnel.

Those moments raised a broader question that goes beyond one match: is this pure passion, or is it beginning to look like arrogance?

A Pattern Worth Examining

This incident did not occur in isolation. Watching Osimhen closely over time, one notices a recurring pattern:

Public frustration directed at teammates when passes are misplaced

Visible hand gestures and outbursts after lost possession

Emotional reactions when things do not go his way

Passion is admirable, especially in a striker who demands high standards. But football is a team sport. Even the best players misplace passes, miss clear chances, or make poor decisions. The question then becomes: when the main man makes a mistake, who does he blame?

Leadership is not only about demanding excellence from others; it is also about accountability and emotional control.

Passion vs Main-Man Syndrome

There is a thin line between passion and what may be described as main-man syndrome—the belief, conscious or otherwise, that the team revolves around one individual.

Osimhen is Nigeria’s most important attacking player. That status comes with responsibility, not entitlement. When frustration repeatedly spills into public criticism of teammates, it risks:

Undermining team cohesion

Creating unnecessary tension within the squad

Shifting attention away from collective performance

Great leaders demand more from their teammates, but they do so in ways that protect unity rather than strain it.

The Finidi George Context

Osimhen’s strained relationship with former Super Eagles coach Finidi George adds another layer to this discussion. While Finidi’s tenure was brief and controversial, reports of disagreement and friction raised similar questions about Osimhen’s relationship with authority and collective team structure.

In a widely circulated incident—still available online—Osimhen openly called out the then coach. A friend standing behind him attempted to calm him down, but Osimhen continued until he had fully expressed himself, including statements many felt should not have been made publicly. Notably, the specific issue that triggered the outburst has never been clearly verified or substantiated by Osimhen, Finidi George, or the football authorities to this day.

This does not make Osimhen a bad player or a bad person. However, it reinforces the view that emotional management remains an area of growth, particularly in high-pressure environments.

The Role of the NFF

In any structured organisation, leadership carries responsibility. When a player--no matter how talented, acts in a manner that risks undermining discipline or respect, it becomes the duty of the governing body to respond appropriately.

In this context, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) functions as the parent institution. When boundaries are tested, the expectation is not silence or selective enforcement, but clarity and consistency. Discipline and mutual respect are foundational to team culture and must be preserved regardless of who occupies the technical bench.

Failure to act decisively risks setting a dangerous precedent, one where individual status outweighs collective standards. Over time, such precedents erode authority, unity, and accountability.

Conclusion

These issues must be addressed promptly and managed internally so they do not distract from the momentum the team has built. The Super Eagles have been in strong form for an extended period, and the tournament is now entering its most demanding phase, where focus, unity, and emotional discipline matter as much as talent.

AFCON is not won on individual brilliance alone, but on collective purpose. Nigeria’s progress will depend on ensuring that personal frustrations do not overshadow team objectives. If handled correctly, this moment can become an opportunity for growth rather than division, allowing the team to move forward stronger, more focused, and fully aligned with its ambitions.

This article reflects a personal assessment of trends, results, and structures within African football, informed by observation and critical analysis rather than allegiance.

Author: Site Owner