Victor Osimhen: Ex Napoli Star Criticises Behaviour of Nigeria Star After 2023 AFCON

• Victor Osimhen is picking up form at the right time at Napoli
• The Nigeria striker has scored five goals in the last four games
• Former Napoli star Paolo Di Canio has called out the striker

Victor Osimhen returned to Napoli with a bang after the conclusion of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Nigerian scored five goals in four matches, including an excellent hat-trick against Sassuolo on February 28.

Former Napoli star Paolo Di Canio has expressed displeasure with Osimhen's behaviour after the 2023 AFCON.

The African Footballer of the Year and Nigeria star suffered a painful 2-1 defeat to Ivory Coast in the AFCON final after an unexpected run to the final.

The 25-year-old scored once during that run, but was instrumental throughout the tournament.

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After the final, the Super Eagles squad met government officials, including the president, Bola Tinubu, who rewarded them for their admirable performances in Ivory Coast.

The striker returned to his club but didn't play their game against Genoa due to fitness. He has been on a tear since returning to the side, per Transfermarkt.

He scored in every game apart from last night's clash against Juventus. Napoli scored from the rebound of his penalty miss. Moreover, he has taken his tally in the Serie A to 11 goals, matching a record held by Diego Maradona.

Di Canio on Osimhen

Di Canio, who played for Napoli and Juventus in the 1990s, was not impressed with how Osimhen carried himself after the AFCON.

“I think about the delay in returning from the African Cup; you go to Lagos (sic. Osimhen was in Abuja) to celebrate while you know that Napoli needs you," Di Canio said via Soccernet.ng.

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“I’m not saying that he should have returned the next day, but I’ll take my holidays another time. Also, to give a signal.”

The former West Ham star heaped praise on the Nigerian, who became the first African to win the Serie A Golden Boot last season.

"Osi is a sentence. We are talking about a decisive, fundamental striker,”

“I don’t like some of his behaviour, but when he goes on the pitch, he is devastating.”

Osimhen and Napoli are now on their third coach this season and sit seventh in the table with 43 points after 27 matches, 26 points behind league leader Inter Milan.

Calzona's warning to Osimhen

Sports Brief earlier reported on Calzona sending a warning to Osimhen and Napoli players after the Nigerian was subbed off shortly after scoring against Barcelona in the Champions League.

The newly-appointed coach of the reigning Serie A champions stressed that he doesn't look at the players' names and that any players would be substituted if they did not meet expectations.