Nigerian social media users have lashed out at Italian champions club Napoli over the treatment of its star striker, Victor Osimhen.
This comes after the club mocked the striker in a Tiktok video after he missed a penalty.
Nigerians on social media, specifically X, formerly known as Twitter, have expressed their disappointment and dissatisfaction at the Serie A champions, Napoli, for “trolling” Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen in a video.
A photojournalist, Sulaiman Pooja Adebayo, while posting the said video wrote, “Napoli’s admin on TikTok trolling Victor Osimhen? Or what’s this nonsense for your own player? This is INSANE.”
Gideon Ekong: “It was only a matter of time before Napoli Fans turned on Osimhen. As a black player in Italy, you can’t have a bad day. One mistake and the darkness will come forward. Racism will always be part of Italian Football, shed your blood for their badge if you want.”
Another, Cornel Uchenna: “Napoli is a classless club. Taking down the video is not enough. The person(s) running that TikTok account should be fired and a public apology to Victor Osimhen. This is subtle racism. Very despicable. Tueh!”
Also, @Stella_Obalum3: “Victor Osimhen being trolled by Napoli’s official TikTok account for missing a penalty is the worst thing I have seen in the history of football. That’s blatant racism and not banter. Dude should consider leaving the club they ain’t worth it.”
Punch Online reports that Osimhen missed a penalty on Sunday as Napoli drew 0-0 to Bologna to continue a three-game winless streak in their Serie A title defence under new boss Rudi Garcia.
Subsequently, Napoli captain, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, faulted Osimhen for overreacting after being substituted in the game.
Osimhen took his anger on coach Garcia after the Frenchman substituted him for Giovanni Simeone, with four minutes left to play.
The Nigerian was captured telling the coach he should have kept two strikers in attack as the team searched for a winner.
However, Osimhen was reported to have apologised to his teammates and coach. Sports journalist, Fabrizio Romano, who confirmed it in a post on X, on Monday, posted, “More on Victor Osimhen. His message to the Napoli squad today was positive — and it was to react after the draw. Osimhen always wants to win games — that’s why he spoke to Garcia after being subbed off vs Bologna. Positive, strong message to the team as leader once again.”
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