Victor Ikpeba while responding to Osimhen’s social media comment on Super Sports, concluded it was made out of youthful exuberance
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former Borussia Dortmund striker, Victor Ikpeba has responded to the impolite reply dished out to him by Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen.
The 23-year-old Serie A striker missed two goal-scoring opportunities when he attempted two bicycle kicks during the World Cup qualifier played between Nigeria and Ghana in Abuja.
Ikpeba, while reviewing the match on Super Sports Monday night football, criticised Osimhen, for opting for bicycle kicks instead of a simpler option.
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The one-time African Footballer of the Year suggested that the Nigerian striker should have brought down the ball or used his head rather than attempt a more complex bicycle kick.
“Victor Osimhen is a good player but is not yet a finished article, forget he’s playing for Napoli. Some of those crosses he might have controlled instead of trying to do a bicycle kick.
“He’s still a young player but I hope that he can improve where he is in Napoli and help the national team in the future. He needs to understand when to play the ball and when to play bicycle kicks.” Ikpeba said.
Reacting to a post by Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala who reminded Osimhen of Ikpeba’s statement, he was defiant, insisting Ikpeba cannot tell him how to play, while also taking a dig at him.
He replied, “I go continue dey do am, no be that pundit go tell me Wetin to do…AGBAYA (Agbaya is a Yoruba parlance which means useless)”
However, Ikpeba recently responded to Osimhen’s social media comment, saying it was made out of youthful exuberance.
He said: “He’s still a young lad, I still love him. Victors are all like that.”
Meanwhile, Osimhen won the Serie A Player of the Month Award for March, despite his side’s shock 2-3 home loss to Fiorentina on Sunday.