I told NFF to say nothing — Sports minister on Osimhen-Finidi issue

Nigeria’s minister for sports development, John Enoh, has revealed that he prevented the NFF from releasing a statement concerning Osimhen's social media outburst targeted at departed Super Eagles manager Finidi George. 

After only two games as the official boss of the Nigerian men's senior national team, Finidi resigned, having failed to pick up a win in two crucial World Cup qualifier fixtures. 

Finidi could not count on Osimhen for both games, as the player declared injured. A report surfaced claiming that the ex-Real Betis winger faulted Osimhen's unavailability for his failings in a way that questioned the Napoli man's commitment to the team.

In a fit of rage, Osimhen took to Instagram to address the report, in which he stated that he had lost all respect for Finidi and unleashed a barrage of expletives at his detractors. 

Speaking on Eagle 7 FM Radio, Enoh explained that he told the NFF to proceed with caution and not release a statement until they spoke to Osimhen himself, as it was a troubling time in the country’s football. 

“I told the NFF not to make a pronouncement on this before they have engaged Osimhen. This is so especially because these are not the best of times for Nigeria football and we have to manage a lot of things. The NFF have to be focused and not be distracted,” he said, per the Daily Post.

Meanwhile, Napoli have reportedly dropped their ask for Osimhen, given the lack of suitors at his current release clause.