Sports

Osimhen apologizes to coach, teammates for his tantrums after substitution

Published

1 year ago

September 26, 2023

Victor Osimhen is back with a bang (Photo Credit: Napoli FC)

Nigeria and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, has tendered an apology to his club coach, Rudi Garcia and teammates after his outburst following his substitution during Napoli’s match with Bologna which ended 0-0.

Osimhen, who led the club to its first Italian Serie A title in over three decades with 26 goals, was subbed off for Giovanni Simeone after blasting a penalty over the bar.

But the substitution did not sit well with the Super Eagles forward who has struggled for goals this season, and he made his coach know how he felt with the now famous outburst which made the headlines in the Italian media, with many sports journalists calling for his sanction.

However, as per Gazzeta dello Sport, Osimhen has apologized to his coach and teammates, and everything seems to be okay in the club’s dressing room.

“Osimhen has apologised to Garcia and his teammates after his outburst at his substitution,” the Italian sports journal wrote.

“Osimhen, it has to be said, was unsuccessful in the match, hitting the upright and missing a penalty. It was also the Nigerian’s 4th game without scoring a goal.

“The player, under particular scrutiny, was replaced by his coach a few minutes from the end of the match (86th).

“Osimhen, no doubt frustrated, was seen explaining to Garcia that it was necessary to play with two center-forwards, rather than having him replaced by Simeone.

“In the locker room on Sunday evening and at Castel Volturno this morning, Victor Osimhen apologized to the coach and his teammates for his outburst on the pitch in Bologna, when at the end he burst out at Rudi Garcia by not accepting the substitution and “explaining” to his coach that he would have had to leave him on the pitch by deploying the second central striker, Giovanni Simeone”, it added.

Napoli captain, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who downplayed the incident, was quoted as saying:

“We manage certain episodes in the dressing room. They become more obvious when things go wrong. We need to be united and focused on the goal. We’ll talk to the group and the coach to resolve this problem. We don’t like to be behind in the league, even if it’s early days.”

Napoli, the current league champions, lie in 7th place with eight points, seven behind leaders Inter Milan, a situation that may have led to frustration for their top striker.

Related Topics:Apologises Featured Napoli Outburst Super Eagles Victor Osimhen

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Sports

Ghanaian winger Fatawu out for season with ACL injury

Published

20 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and Leicester City winger, Abdul Fatawu, has been ruled out of the rest of the EPL season after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury during Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Angola in a 2025 AFCON match during the international break.

Leicester coach, Steve Cooper, who announced the news on Thursday, said the 20-year-old enterprising player suffered a “serious” knee injury which will see him out for the rest of the season.

“It’s not good, it’s a serious injury,” Cooper said ahead of his side’s home tie against Chelsea on Saturday.

“He’s had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that is going to rule him out for the rest of the season. It’s a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.

“Albeit, it can be quite common in sport and in particular football, but it’s still a serious injury. For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.

“He’s obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.

“It’s only a pause and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case,” the gaffer said.

Fatawu has been a key player for the Foxes, helping them gain promotion last season and has played 11 times for them in the league during the present campaign, scoring two goals.

Sports

SA football legend Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe passes away

Published

2 days ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

South African football legend, Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe, has passed away at the age of 71 after a long battle with illness.

According to South African media, Moripe lit up the country’s football fields in the 1970s and became a rallying point for football in the country, especially in the apartheid era.

“Moripe, who mesmerised opponents and spectators alike during an injury ravaged career, spent his last years confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke, and died at his home on Tuesday at the age of 71,” one media report said.

“Moripe, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players the country has produced by those who saw him play, was called “the god of football”’ by adoring fans during the early 1970s in a nod to his natural talents.

“He was feared by defenders and goalkeepers and his style of play was synonymous with flair, finesse and the golden era of South African football.

“In recent years Moripe was confined to a wheelchair after suffering a mild stroke that was worsened by the effects of a long-term knee injury that stopped his playing career in the late 1980s.

“Throughout his career, Moripe played for the Orlando Pirates and the Pretoria Callies, winning the respect of both teammates and supporters.

“In 2010, the Atteridgeville Super Stadium was renamed the Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe Stadium in honor of his noteworthy achievements to South African football. Major football games are still held at this stadium, which now stands as a tribute to his legacy.

“Moripe’s career highlights include leading Pretoria Callies to victory against top clubs and earning the 1973 NPSL Player of the Year and Sportsman of the Year titles.

“He also played internationally for Caroline Hill in Hong Kong and briefly for Orlando Pirates. Persistent knee injuries ended his playing career in the late 1980s.”