Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has called on football enthusiasts to disregard the recent controversy surrounding comments made by Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle following Nigeria's triumph at the Unity Cup tournament.
Nigeria sealed a convincing 3-0 victory over Jamaica in the final of the competition on Saturday at The Valley in Charlton, London, successfully retaining the title.
Speaking after the match, Chelle disclosed that Osimhen would not be available for the upcoming international friendly matches against Poland and Portugal.
The Malian tactician suggested that the forward would use the period to focus on resolving issues concerning his club future at Turkish champions Galatasaray.
The comments quickly generated widespread reactions and speculation regarding Osimhen's relationship with his club and national team commitments.
However, the Nigerian forward has moved to calm tensions, revealing that he held a direct conversation with the Super Eagles manager to clarify the situation.
In a statement, Osimhen explained that Chelle's remarks had been misunderstood and taken out of context.
“I just got off the phone with coach Eric Chelle regarding the comments about me in his recent interview,” Osimhen wrote on Instagram.
“Unfortunately, his words have been taken out of context and blown out of proportion. He has great respect for Galatasaray, follows most of our games, and never intended to create any controversy.”
The former Napoli striker also expressed appreciation for the coach and reiterated his commitment to the national team.
“I appreciate the conversation, the opportunity to represent my country, and I look forward to continuing to work with him.”
“He is a great coach whom I respect a lot, and I kindly ask everyone to disregard the speculations surrounding this matter. Thank you for your consistent support.”
Osimhen enjoyed a remarkable campaign after completing a permanent move to Galatasaray in the summer of 2025.
The prolific striker played a pivotal role in helping the Yellow-Reds successfully defend their Turkish Super Lig crown, further cementing his status as one of Europe's most sought-after forwards.
Despite his success in Istanbul, uncertainty continues to surround his long-term future at the club ahead of the 2026/27 season.
His impressive performances have reportedly attracted interest from several European giants, including Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
Adeyemi Adewale
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