Osimhen breaks silence on angry walk-off after Zimbabwe draw
By Olaolu Joseph
Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen has broken his silence over his reaction after Nigeria was held to a 1-1 draw by Zimbabwe in last Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier in Uyo.
The Napoli striker furiously walked off the pitch at full-time, ignoring his teammates, particularly Victor Boniface, who ran after him in an attempt to calm him down.
Speaking about his actions, Osimhen explained that his reaction was driven by frustration, given how the Eagles squandered the opportunity to secure three points.
“I can’t lie, I was frustrated. We should have won that match against Zimbabwe. We had the lead, we controlled the game, and then, just like that, we let it slip,” he said.
Reflecting further, he added, “When I scored, I felt relieved. I thought, ‘Yes, this is it; we’re taking the three points home.’ But football can be cruel. A last-minute equalizer, just seconds away from victory, shattered everything. The whistle blew, and I just couldn’t hold back my emotions.”
Osimhen acknowledged Boniface’s efforts to console him but admitted he was too upset at the time. “Boniface was trying to calm me down, but at that moment, I didn’t want to hear anything. I walked away, not out of disrespect, but because I was hurt. I give my all every time I step on that pitch—not just for myself, but for my team, for Nigeria, and for the fans who believe in us,” he stated.
On the impact of the draw on Nigeria’s qualification hopes, Osimhen stressed the need for improvement.
“We needed those points. Now, we have to fight harder to qualify for the World Cup. It’s not over, but we can’t keep making the same mistakes. I just want us to be better, to do better because Nigeria deserves nothing less,” he concluded.
