Oliseh’s Plaudits for Osimhen, Wants the Lille Star to Remain Humble
Former Captain and Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Sunday Oliseh, has advised Lille striker, Victor Osimhen, to stay humble and ambitious after winning the Marc Vivien Foe award.
The 2015 FIFA Under-17 World Cup winner who is currently in Naples, Italy, negotiating to switch to Napoli, succeeded Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe to win this year’s prize as Best African player in France after his incredible debut season in Ligue 1, where he provided 13 goals and four assists in 27 appearances.
The 21-year-old is the second Nigerian player, after goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama who also played at Lille, to clinch the award which crowns the best African player in the French top-flight every season.
He defeated compatriot Moses Simon, Algeria’s Islam Slimani, Saint-Etienne’s Denis Bouanga, Montpellier’s Andy Delort and Rennes’ trio of Mbaye Niang, Hamari Traore and Edouard Mendy to the gong.
In his congratulatory message, Oliseh acknowledged Osimhen’s hard work in Christophe Galtier’s team but cautioned him to remain professional as he aspires for more success.
“First of all, I would like to congratulate Victor Osimhen for being elected winner of the MarcVivien Foe Prize. This trophy is important since it rewards the best African player in the French Championship. It is important for us Africans,” Oliseh told Radio France International.
“I find his victory even more surprising when we see the competitors that Victor had to surpass to win this title. Many people will wonder if he deserves it, if he is stronger than these players.
“But what Victor has done this season is truly exceptional. Thanks to him, his team managed to make a magnificent season.
“I think Victor frankly deserves it because he brought a lot to his club. We really saw the difference when Victor was on the field and when he was not. We see the possibilities he offers his teammates to go forward. We also see the weight it places on the enemy’s defences.