Finidi breaks silence, clears the air on Osimhen rift

Published on by Toyosi Afolayan

Former Super Eagles head coach Finidi George has revealed that Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has yet to apologize for his controversial Instagram outburst during his time with the team.

The incident occurred during Nigeria's rocky 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, following a draw against South Africa and a defeat to Benin.

Osimhen’s frustration boiled over after rumors surfaced that Finidi had blamed the team's struggles on the Napoli-owned forward’s lack of commitment. In response, Osimhen released on a scathing 10-minute Instagram live video, where he openly criticized the Super Eagles legend, accusing him of disrespect and scapegoating.

Finidi George breaks silence, clears the air on Victor Osimhen rift
Photo by NFF Media

“You can talk nonsense. I have lost the respect I had for that man [Finidi], I swear to God I’ve lost it now because why? I called him, told him to allow me to come to the camp to be with the boys. I have all these recorded, to come talk to the boys,” Osimhen stated during the live session.

No apology, but time to move on – Finidi George

Despite the heated exchange, Finidi George has now clarified that he never made such comments about Osimhen’s absence and had reached out to the player privately, advising him against reacting to hearsay.

“I sent him a message that it was not the best way, just someone telling you that coach said that and you're talking about me like I said it in an interview. From that point, I didn't hear from him.

“I moved on, and I wish him well. Only God will judge.”

When asked if Osimhen should have faced sanctions for the outburst, Finidi remained diplomatic, stating, “We cannot crucify him; he has made a mistake, we have moved on and life goes on.” Finidi told Nigeria Info FM.

Victor Osimhen is currently in camp with the Super Eagles ahead of their AFCON 2025 qualifier against Rwanda.

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Toyosi Afolayan

Toyosi Afolayan is a sports journalist who breathes life into the games we love. He loves to combine insightful analysis with historical background, creating a richer understanding of sports. Afolayan's expertise ranges from captivating narratives to live broadcasts, captivating audiences across platforms like Ojbsport, AllNigeriaSoccer, TVC Entertainment, Bounce Networks, Kwara TV, ICIR, EaglesTracker, and NFF TV. His background in History and International Studies adds depth, revealing the connections between sports, politics, and national identity.