Soccer
Victor Osimhen of Nigeria during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Amavubi of Rwanda. Photo by Akpan Nsidibe Copyright: imago
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has admitted that he does not take criticism from Nigerian fans to heart, Soccernet.ng reports.
Osimhen is gradually etching his name into Nigerian football folklore with his impressive performances for the national team.
The 27-year-old striker has consistently delivered whenever he wears the green and white of the Super Eagles.
In fact, many believe Nigeria would have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup had he been available for the majority of the team’s qualifying matches.
In this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025), Osimhen has continued to produce results. The former Napoli man has recorded four goals and a couple of assists, playing a pivotal role in Nigeria’s run to the semifinals.
However, the Galatasaray star has not been without his faults. There have been occasions when he has not been at his prolific best.
A case in point was his struggle against Gabon in the World Cup playoffs in November, though he eventually found his rhythm to score two goals.
Meanwhile, during this tournament, Osimhen faced a significant backlash following an incident with Ademola Lookman in the Round of 16 against Mozambique.
In that match, he appeared to stop playing with his teammates and signaled to the bench to be substituted. As he departed the pitch, he was reportedly booed by sections of the crowd.
Osimhen was heavily criticized for his behavior at the time, but both he and the team appear to have moved past the incident.
What Victor Osimhen Said About Criticism From Fans
Speaking on how he has coped with such scrutiny, Victor Osimhen revealed that he rarely takes the criticism to heart, understanding the passion of the supporters
“I’m doing a job where my mistakes are televised. I’m just focused on the ones that love me, the ones that cheer for this group, for the Super Eagles. That’s what I’m after, I try to satisfy them, to do my best for them,” Osimhen told Netflix.
“But one thing I know about all Super Eagles fans worldwide is that they are not satisfied, which is normal because they know the kind of quality we possess.
“So even if you win 10-0 today, they can say no problem. But if you win 2-0 tomorrow, they start to criticize you.
“I’ve known them for many years, and that is very good for me. I take it as a positive vibe, but I don’t care about the criticisms.”
Osimhen is just two goals away from Nigeria’s highest goalscorer, Rashida Yekini, and he will be eager to break that record.
But asides from personal glory, he has never won a tournament with the Super Eagles. As such, he will be hoping that he can change that at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
Kelvin Omachonu
Kelvin Omachonu is a professional football columnist and sports writer with over half a decade of experience covering major events and delivering captivating, analytically-driven stories.
A graduate of the University of Ibadan, he is fueled by a profound dedication to sports journalism and the beautiful game. His insights have previously been featured in respected outlets, including IndyPress UI, UCJ UI Newshive NG, Sportpremi, and a few others.
Away from work, Kelvin is an avid fan of basketball, enjoys a great movie, and is always discovering new music.
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