ISTANBUL/LONDON — Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen has moved to resolve recent media speculation regarding his absence from Nigeria’s upcoming friendly matches against Poland and Portugal. The Galatasaray forward released an official statement on Sunday, clarifying remarks made by head coach Eric Chelle.
Clearing the Air
The confusion arose following an interview in which Coach Chelle addressed the absence of several key players for the June fixtures. Chelle had stated, “Victor Osimhen is an important player for Nigeria and Galatasaray. This period is off-season when a lot of things happen off-the-pitch and we must respect certain decisions that are not in our hands.”
Some observers interpreted these comments as implying a rift between the player and the national team setup. Osimhen, however, acted quickly to dispel these rumors after a direct conversation with the coach.
“I just had a phone call with Eric Chelle about the comments he made... Unfortunately, his words were taken out of context and blown out of proportion,” Osimhen said in his statement. “He has great respect for Galatasaray... and never had any intention of creating controversy.”
Commitment to the Super Eagles
The 27-year-old reaffirmed his dedication to the national team, emphasizing his high regard for Coach Chelle and his eagerness to return to the squad.
“I appreciate this conversation and the opportunity to always represent my country. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with him,” Osimhen added, while calling for fans and the media to disregard the speculation surrounding the matter.
Squad Updates Ahead of June Fixtures
Osimhen’s absence is part of a larger roster reshuffle for the Super Eagles as they prepare for high-profile friendlies against Poland (June 3) and Portugal. The team recently tasted success in London, winning the Unity Cup after a 3-0 victory over Jamaica.
Other notable absences for the upcoming matches include:
• Ademola Lookman: Granted additional recovery time following a grueling club campaign.
• Samuel Chukwueze: Excused on compassionate grounds following the burial of his mother.
• Alhassan Yusuf and Samson Tijani: Currently unavailable due to visa-related administrative challenges.
Coach Chelle is expected to use these fixtures as a tactical test to evaluate emerging talent and deepen his squad depth ahead of future competitive qualifiers.
