Former Nigeria international, Victor Ikpeba has appealed to Victor Osimhen to stay away from controversies in his promising career.
The Prince of Monaco stated this during an interview with Comfort 95.1 FM.
Napoli and Super Eagles star, Osimhen has recently been grabbing headlines for the wrong reasons, following disagreements with his family and training ground bust up at Napoli. Ikpeba has urged Osimhen to calm down and focus on his career.
“Human beings are different. I remember when my time as a professional footballer many years ago, I had my personality and character. I was very outspoken but had respect for senior players.
“Osimhen is still a young guy. I don’t care what people think about me.
“When anything is on social media, people tend to take sides. I honestly don’t have any problem with Victor Osimhen.
“Before the boy went to Napoli, he was a decent young chap. I hope people around the boy advise him. He can’t continue to get into the wrong books as star player of club and country.
“I honestly want Osimhen to do well, he has attributes and talent to do so. Football can be unforgiven sometimes. Look at Mario Balotelli, a lot of Nigerian footballers have had this opportunity and lost it. Osimhen is at the right place and right time. My advise for him is to calm down.”
When asked by the Presenter to suggest who Victor Osimhen should get the advise from with news of disagreements from his family members suggesting that he doesn’t listen to them, Victor Ikpeba said: “Victor Osimhen needs people who will tell him the truth. Players need to listen to people who are close to them. He should calm down, training ground issue can happen but it shouldn’t be constant.”
Ikpeba further advised Osimhen to calm down, while urging him to emulate Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.
“The sky is his limit but he needs to concentrate. People have to manage stardom. The Victor Osimhen I saw at VfL Wolfsburg, Sporting Charleroi and OSC Lille carried himself decently. Going to Napoli might have changed his mentality.