Victor Osimhen has once again come under the spotlight after a former Super Eagles insider revealed a fiery incident involving teammate Emmanuel Dennis during a training session with Nigeria, Footynaija.com reports.
According to former Super Eagles assistant coach Acacio Santos, the Galatasaray striker once got into a heated clash with Dennis during a seven-against-seven drill, a day before Nigeria’s record-breaking 10-0 win over São Tomé and Príncipe in 2023.
Santos, who worked closely with Osimhen under Jose Peseiro, described the Napoli-owned forward as “very competitive” and someone who “wants to win everything,” regardless of whether it is a match or a training ground drill.
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“One day before the game, Victor had a bit of a fight with Emmanuel Dennis in a seven-against-seven exercise,” Santos said.
“This player was relaxing a little bit, a bit chilled. This was normal because there was a game the next day. But Victor wanted more. He was so demanding.”
While some members of the technical crew felt Osimhen needed to calm down, the striker responded the next day in his own way, by scoring four goals in a dominant 10-0 win that still stands as one of Nigeria’s most emphatic victories in international football.
But it was what followed that truly stood out. Nigeria earned a late penalty, and everyone expected Osimhen to go for a fifth goal. Instead, he handed the ball to Dennis, the very teammate he clashed with, so the forward could score his first-ever international goal.
“After scoring his four goals, suddenly we had a penalty. Everybody expected Victor to grab the ball for the fifth. The poker. But no, Victor gave the ball to Dennis, the team-mate he had fought with the day before who had never scored for the national team.”
“This is an example that tells you a lot about Victor Osimhen. Instead of having five goals, he preferred to give his team-mate his first goal. Others like to talk in the dressing room. Victor is a leader through his behaviour, through his work, through his example.”
As revealed by Sky Sports, Santos praised Osimhen’s mental stamina, describing it as a rare trait among top strikers. He said Osimhen quickly forgets his mistakes and goes straight back to fighting for success.
“Victor has this strength. He does not care if he makes a mistake. He wants to fight again. This is a huge thing because it affects your biology too. Your body will start telling you, ‘Okay, I have to go and fight again, I have to do more, I cannot waste any time.’”
Osimhen, now 26, recently scored 37 goals for Galatasaray during a successful loan spell from Napoli. Yet, despite his form, top Premier League clubs continue to hesitate due to financial complications and his age. However, Santos believes his ultra-competitive mindset and unshakeable belief are what make Osimhen unique.
“Victor is calm before training, in his own world. But when the session starts, he wants to win everything,” he said.
“He is very demanding of his colleagues — this is just his mentality.”
