'He is a bit like Eto'o'- Nigeria's chief coach warns his former club Barcelona about Osimhen

Published: February 24, 2022

Nigeria's chief coach Emmanuel Amuneke has highlighted the qualities of Victor Osimen before Barcelona's crucial Europa League knockout round playoff tie with Napoli on Thursday night.

1994 African Footballer of the Year, Amuneke has close ties to Barcelona as he was on the books of the Spanish giants for four years and went on to make twenty six appearances in all competitions for the Azulgranas.

Amuneke revealed that Osimhen stands out for his physicality and impressive speed and likened the 2015 U17 World Cup top scorer to Barcelona legend Samuel Eto'o.

The Super Eagles and Napoli number 9 has made a splash in this season's Europa League, notching four goals in four appearances despite his limited game time in the competition.

"When he pressed it seemed that he did it for two or three players. He is too smart to play space," Amuneke told Spanish newspaper El Pais.

"He doesn't have a very orthodox dribble, he can take it with his ankle, his foot or whatever, but he always goes straight to goal.

"He doesn't do any flourishes. And he has impressive speed. He is a bit like Eto'o".

Gianfranco Zola, a former Chelsea and Napoli striker, previously compared Osimhen to Chelsea star Romelu Lukaku.

Reacting to Zola's comments, Amuneke said : "I don't like comparisons. Eto'o is Eto'o and he has his history in world football, not only in Africa.

"Lukaku also has his, now it's Victor's turn to make his career. He has the talent".

Thursday night at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona would be a great time for Osimhen to score his second goal against Spanish opposition having previously done so back in the 2019-2020 season against Valencia in the UEFA Champions League.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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