- Home
- /
- /
- Article
Osimhen
Victor Osimhen used to sell newspapers in the crowded, traffic-clogged streets of Lagos: now he creates headlines as a consistent scorer for Nigeria and Galatasaray.As Nigeria prepare to face Group C rivals Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda during December at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, much is expected from the 26-year-old.
“He is the greatest striker in the world,” says head coach Eric Chelle as the Super Eagles seek a fourth AFCON title and first since 2013.
Nigeria have an abundance of attacking talent and fellow former African player of the year award winner Ademola Lookman is among those who could partner Osimhen.
The story of Osimhen is typical of so many African footballers. It is a classic rags-to-riches tale as seemingly insurmountable odds are overcome to achieve stardom.
Osimhen revealed his childhood difficulties in a series of social media posts, hoping they would inspire Nigerians facing similar adversities.
His earliest memories of life in the Nigerian commercial capital are of dusty streets and the stench from a waste dump.
“I had to sell newspapers and bottles of water to help my family survive,” recalled the star who turns 27 on December 29, the day before Nigeria face Uganda in their final group match.
A stroke of luck changed his life and propelled him on a path that would lead him to be crowned 2023 African player of the year.
A candidate for a place in the national under-17 team for the 2015 World Cup, he initially failed to impress coach Emmanuel Amuneke and was dropped. Vanguard
More like this
