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By: Ebenezer Bajela.
Serie A champions, Napoli, are under serious attack from football followers, who deemed a video posted on the club’s official TikTok handle as mocking Nigeria international Victor Osimhen for missing a penalty on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Osimhen, who was the club’s top scorer last season as the Parthenopeans won the Scudetto after three decades, missed the penalty that denied Napoli a chance to win all three points against Bologna on Sunday.
And with just four minutes to the end of the game, the Super Eagles striker was substituted for Giovanni Simeone.
Not happy with the substitution, Osimhen expressed his anger at Napoli coach Rudi Garcia as he walked away to the bench.
Osimhen has since sent his apologies to the coach and his teammates over his action but on Tuesday, the official TikTok of the team, which had posted a video three days ago referring to Osimhen as a coconut head, posted another video trolling the Nigerian for missing the penalty against Bologna.
The action by the club’s social media handle has seen the football faithful from across the world attack the club.
“That video of @sscnapoli trolling @victorosimhen9 over his penalty miss (which I won’t share) is in very poor taste for a player who continually gives 100% for that club. Everyone involved in that decision, from ideation through approval to execution, should be fired, pronto!” Nigerian journalist Collin Udoh wrote.
Social media influencer, Lerry, wrote, “Dear @sscnapoli, your admin is on TikTok trolling your own player, Victor Osimhen for missing a Penalty.
“Is this how you repay a player who fought hard on the field to end your 33 years of waiting for a League title?
“I’ve seen the greatest football players miss penalties that cost their teams yet it didn’t take anything from their greatness. Victor Osimhen is heading to the top and one penalty miss won’t change that.
Frank Khalid, a British entrepreneur, the owner of West London Film Studios, Elbrook Cash and Carry, also questioned the club.
“How can Napoli make fun of their number one player? I think it’s time for Victor Osimhen to come to Chelsea, it’s his dream club.”
Angered by the post, Buchi Laba wrote on his X account, “Saw the TikTok Video of the official account of Napoli mocking Victor Osimhen because he missed a Penalty and it pissed me off!! They can’t hide it anymore. Disgrace of a football club.”
Moolah added, “Honestly, it smacks of racial slur to me bearing in mind that Giacomo Raspadori in Napoli’s match against Sassuolo about two weeks ago also missed a penalty, yet was never ridiculed or caricatured the way Osimhen has been. I’m truly disappointed and disgusted in SSC Napoli.”
Dami’ Adenuga urges Nigerians to rally around Osimhen.
“Napoli’s account is trolling Victor Osimhen. Nigerians, over to you . You come for one of us, you better be ready for all of us.”
Yusuf Adebanjo said that Osimhen, who was sought-after by many clubs in Europe, should consider leaving the club at the end of the season.
“Surely and without doubt, this should be Osimhen’s last season with the club. For players and their clubs, it’s all about assets and liabilities. When you win, you savour the moment, and when it’s the other way round, you also take it. All parties should behave professionally.”
Alba Svítání added, “He should leave that ungrateful club, they don’t deserve anything good.”
“Imagine being trolled by the same club you work your socks off for, Victor Osimhen needs to leave Napoli,” Elvis Tunde tweeted.
While the video has been taken down following the attacks from fans, a lot of people are equally hoping that the Serie A champions make a public apology to the striker.