Victor Ikpeba advises Osimhen to calm down and concentrate on his career

Former Nigeria international Victor Ikpeba has again advised Napoli striker Victor Osimhen to calm down and concentrate on his football career .

The latest advice by Ikpeba nicknamed ‘ The Prince of Monaco ‘ for his exploits during his playing days at french Ligue One side Monaco is in view of the negative headlines around Victor Osimhen’s family and training ground sanction at Napoli.

Ikpeba gave his admonition when he featured on a sports show via Comfort 95.1FM hosted by veteran broadcaster George Iniabasi a.k.a Mighty George.

Victor Ikpeba stated he will not stop advising Victor Osimhen whom he said could be his ‘ son ‘ despite the ‘agbado’ reaction that trailed his comments from the World Cup Qualification Playoff game vs Ghana in March.

Ikpeba said ” Human beings are different. I remember when I was a professional footballer many years ago i had my personality and character , I was very outspoken but I had respect for senior players , ”

“He is still a young guy. I’ve said this before and I’m not changing . I don’t care what people think about me but this is what is on ground , you know when anything is on social media people will have to take sides , ”

” I honestly don’t have any problem with Victor (Osimhen) . I’ve seen him before when he has not gone to Napoli , he used to be a decent young chap. I hope that people around him should advice and support him. He can’t continue to get into the wrong books as the star player of the National team and playing in one of the big clubs in Serie A. ” Ikpeba stated.

Victor Osimhen was in the news last week for the wrong reasons . First his Sister and her husband calling him out for allegedly refusing to pay a debt he collected plus Luciano Spalleti’s decision to walk him out of training for a disagreement with his teammates.

This situation Victor Ikpeba reasoned is not good for Osimhen’s career hence the advice for him to calm down, take his attention off social media and concentrate on his career .

” I honestly want him (Osimhen) to do well, he has the attributes and talent to do that but he has to calm down and concentrate on his footballing Career. ” Ikpeba continued

” Football can be so unforgiving sometimes, look at the likes of Mario Ballotelli . A lot of Nigerian Footballers have had this same opportunity and lost it . Osimhen is at the right place at the right time so my advice is for him to calm down . ”

When asked by the presenter to suggest who Victor Osimhen will get this advice and support from with the news of disagreements with his family suggesting he is not listening to anybody , Ikpeba said Osimhen needs people who will ” tell him the truth .”

” When you start having issues with your family it’s not good. I was lucky enough to have a manager that was like my uncle , my father and throughout my career that friendship and trust was there. Players need to listen to those people who are close to them sometimes. ”

” We cannot do it for Victor, he has to get it right . The fact that he is having issues with people around him is unfortunate . We don’t know what is inside his head and that’s the truth. So like I said before, he should calm down, less of social media , the training ground issues can happen but it shouldn’t be constantly and it’s becoming a little bit constant. ”

” What I said after the Nigeria vs Ghana game was the truth. I have played this game to the highest level so I cannot be afraid talking to this Super Eagles players. The problem with the media and fans in Nigeria is that we are so afraid to criticize this players, ”

” As far as it is constructive , we should not be afraid. All what I said about Osimhen in the Ghana game was constructive . So he may not like it but that’s the truth . The sky is his limit but he needs to concentrate on his football career. ”

” People have to manage stardom . The Victor Osimhen I saw when he played at Chalerloi, Wolfsburg , Lille carried himself decently. Going to Napoli might have changed his mentality and that is why I am saying he has to calm down, he has not achieved anything yet and should emulate players like Mane and Salah . ” Victor Ikpeba Concluded.

Victor Ikpeba who works as a pundit with SuperSports has confirmed he will be in Uyo , Akwa Ibom State on 5th August 2022 for the ” Rep your club 2022 ” event powered by Comfort 95.1fm .