2021 AFCON winning captain hails ‘top player’ Osimhen

2021 Africa Cup of Nations – AFCON winning Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly has hailed Victor Osimhen as a ‘top player’ whose successes makes him proud.

Both African players played together at Napoli for two seasons before Koulibaly moved to English Premier League side Chelsea FC in the summer of 2022.

The Senegalese skipper has again switched clubs, this time moving to the money-spinning Saudi Arabia Premier League with Al Hilal.

In a recent interview as an Al Hilal player, Koulibaly told Repubblica newspaper via tutto Napoli, that Osimhen showed signs he was  top player from the start. 

His words: “Osimhen? You could see that he was a top player,”

“I tried to help him and I have no more advice to give him, even if we talk on the phone. He decides for himself whether to stay in the blue shirt: I hope he never has regrets. Victor is African like me and his successes make me even more proud.”

The former Chelsea man also discussed about Napoli’s Italian Serie A triumph the season after his departure.

Victor Osimhen and the Partonopei hit peak form enroute clinching their first Scudetto in 33-years while Kalidou Koulibaly who opted for a new challenge in England struggled with Chelsea FC.

The defender acknowledged he has a regret from the decision to leave. not the title, something else.

He told  Corriere dello Sport: “Napoli? They say he left at the wrong time, but I believe a lot in fate and it shows that it had to go like this. I was very happy for my former fans , the club. I have only one regret: not playing with Kvaratskhelia.”

On his decision to ditch Chelsea FC for Al Hilal, Koulibaly said of his new salary: “I will be able to help my whole family to live well, from my parents to my cousins, and also support the social activities of my association in Senegal, “Capitane du Coeur”: we started last week with the construction of a pediatric clinic in the village of my parents, in Ngano.

” The nearest hospital there is an hour’s journey away now. Too. Needed another one. But it’s only the beginning and I have many projects in my head, especially to help the younger ones. We will also expand our solidarity to neighboring countries. My bond with Africa is very strong and will be even stronger when I stop playing. ” the 2021 AFCON winning captain said.