Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu has played down suggestions of a fierce rivalry with compatriot Victor Osimhen, insisting that their battle for goals in the Turkish Super Lig has only made them better players, Footynaija.com reports.
The two Nigerian forwards have become two of the biggest attacking stars in Turkish football over the past two seasons, with Osimhen claiming the Golden Boot during his debut campaign before Onuachu succeeded him as the league’s top scorer last term.
Their exploits have naturally fuelled comparisons among supporters, but the Trabzonspor forward believes the competition has remained healthy both on and off the pitch.
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Speaking to Turkish outlet 61Saat about the prospect of another Golden Boot race with the Galatasaray striker, Onuachu dismissed any notion of personal animosity between the pair.
“There will always be competition. Competition adds something to you. There are important strikers like Osimhen in the league. Last year I managed to become the top scorer,” the 32-year-old said.
Rather than allowing the battle for individual honours to affect their relationship, Onuachu revealed that he and Osimhen have continued to celebrate each other’s achievements despite representing rival clubs.
“We both congratulate each other. When one of us achieves success, we congratulate each other. I called and spoke to them when they won the league.
“It’s a good thing to play and compete with someone from the same country. When he wins, I congratulate him, and when I win, he congratulates me.”
Onuachu enjoyed a remarkable 25/26 campaign, scoring 22 league goals in 30 appearances to finish as the Super Lig’s joint top scorer before helping Trabzonspor lift the Turkish Cup with a match-winning brace in the final.
Osimhen, meanwhile, registered 13 league goals despite missing part of the season through injury, adding to the 26-goal haul that earned him the Golden Boot during his debut campaign with Galatasaray.
With both strikers expected to lead the line for their respective clubs again this season, another battle for goals appears inevitable.
