Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has openly criticized coach Finidi George, stating he has lost respect for him due to remarks about Osimhen’s commitment to the national team.

Finidi, who resigned as the head coach of the Super Eagles on Saturday, reportedly said he wouldn’t beg Osimhen to play for the team after the striker missed the last two 2026 World Cup qualifiers due to injury.

Osimhen was sidelined for four weeks and replaced by Enugu Rangers defender Kenneth Igboke. Despite this, the Super Eagles’ poor performances against South Africa and Benin Republic shifted the narrative, with an online source suggesting Finidi used Osimhen’s absence to highlight player attitudes during a meeting with the Sports Minister.

Osimhen, angered by these claims, took to Instagram to clarify his situation, asserting that Finidi was fully informed by both him and his doctor. "I knew things like these would happen and that’s why I have the videos and screenshots of when I called Finidi while I was with the doctor in Germany," Osimhen stated.

He further explained, “I got injured in our last game against Lecce and I went to the MRI scan. I called Finidi there for him to listen to the doctor too. I asked him to let me come to the camp to be with the boys, but he insisted I stay with my family. I always give my best for both club and country, and I’ll share the evidence of my conversation with Finidi for those doubting my commitment.”

In Finidi’s first game as head coach, the Super Eagles drew 1-1 with South Africa in Uyo and lost 2-1 to Benin Republic in Abidjan, leaving them with only three points from four games in Group C. Finidi’s resignation came shortly after the Nigeria Football Federation announced plans to hire a foreign technical adviser.

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