New signing at Galatasaray of Turkey, Victor Osimhen has revealed that he often cries while singing Nigeria’s national anthem before a match, because he cherishes the passion of playing for his country.
The current African Footballer of The Year, who joined Galatasaray last week on loan from SSC Napoli of Italy after a protracted transfer saga, added that he sees it as a huge privilege to play for Nigeria.
Sports247.ng reports further that Osimhen also spoke against the backdrop of his stunning goal against Benin Republic on Saturday, which he admitted brought a lot of relief to his mind.
The former VfL Wolsburg of Germany, Racing Charleroi of Belgium and Lille Metropole of France hitman added, “To be able to score for my country in front of the fans gives me some kind of satisfaction and joy.
“For me, it’s always important to give my best … scoring goals, doing assists, and fighting for the team.”
He also revealed how Saturday’s goal was the outcome of a tactical plan he had during training with four of his colleagues – Semi Ajayi, Wilfred Ndidi, Ola Aina, and Taiwo Awoniyi, which they perfected more than ten times.
Although Osimhen noted that keen understanding among all the players, and his shout in Yoruba to Ajayi (“File, file” i.e. leave it), paved the way for his stunning half volley, he stopped short of labelling it his best goal for Nigeria.
“To be fair, every single goal that I’ve scored for Nigeria has been really special to me; even when I was in under-17, under-20 and under-23, now in the Super Eagles.
“Be it in a friendly game or competitive game. It’s always important for me to score. To me, playing for Nigeria is a privilege, and it’s not something I take for granted.”
Osimhen, who was groomed by Super Strikers Academy in the Ojota-Oregun area of Lagos, also spoke about the factors and assets that accounted for his breakthrough into the national team.
He expatiated: “It’s something that you earn because you work so hard for it. A lot of people see you as someone who can defend the country’s colour.
“There’s some kind of adrenalin that you get when you are called up to the team.
“Then you get to the camp, you put on the kit and, on match day, be it in the starting 11 or guys on the bench, you have this sense of fulfilment.
“It’s what you imagined in life, that one day you would play for the Super Eagles; and you then see the reality in front of you.”
Osimhen went further to confess that he still feels strong bolts of excitement running through his veins anytime he is called up to play for the Super Eagles and then told by the coach that he should enter the field of play.
“It gives me a unique feeling,” the lanky lad continued. “There are times I put my hand on my chest when the national anthem is played, and I am always close to tears, but nobody will know.
“For me, it’s always important to give back to the country where a lot of people support you. Some may even criticise you and hate you or stuff like that, which are all normal in football.
“At the end of the day, it’s just love. You just have to give your best for your country while you can. There’s no permanent stay in the national team.”
He concluded by reeling our the names of some Nigerian legends he looks up to, while buttressing reasons why he must keep on doing his best while he is still in the Eagles’ current squad.
“Ighalo was here, and he did a lot of great things. Martins, Mikel, Onazi; a lot of them did what they had to do and then went their way.
“We also have to do what we can while we are here, and the next generation will also come and take over from us, then do their part as well,” Osimhen posited philosophically.
