Dennis Oliech on One Thing Nigerian Star Victor Osimhen Can Learn from Him and McDonald Mariga

Following Victor Osimhen’s petulance during Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 campaign, Dennis Oliech feels there is something the striker can pick from some Harambee Stars legends.

Former Harambee Stars captain Dennis Oliech has weighed in on Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen’s act of petulance at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles striker made headlines in their Round of 16 match against Mozambique, which Eric Chelle’s side won 4-0, when he confronted teammate Ademola Lookman for not passing him the ball.

The incident occurred in the 63rd minute when Osimhen, who had already scored twice, assisted on both occasions by Lookman, expressed his frustration at the Atalanta forward for taking on a defender instead of passing to him.

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Osimhen would be substituted five minutes later and after the final whistle, the Galatasaray striker did not celebrate with his teammates, heading directly down the tunnel. The incident has since been resolved but Osimhen was slammed for feeling entitled and putting individual glory over the team and Oliech is among those not happy with him.

“When star players come home, they feel they are big, the coach is not the same as the one at club level so you think you are big. My experience is that you cannot last,” Oliech said on OdiTV.

Dennis Oliech Cautions Victor Osimhen

The former Auxerre, Nantes and Ajaccio striker gave his own example, while pointing to his other former teammates McDonald Mariga and Musa Otieno, who exhibited humility, something he feels Osimhen lacks.

“You have to be humble like I was and the likes of Oteshe [Musa Otieno], [McDonald] Mariga. You have to be humble when you come to the national team because the younger players are looking up to you,” Oliech further said.

“You are not supposed to bring pride [to the national team] because you have money and a good car. He [Osimhen] has not achieved anything so discipline is a must if you want to last long in African football.”

Osimhen put aside his issues and led Nigeria to the semi-final, scoring one of their two goals as they beat Algeria 2-0 in the quarter-final, but was subdued against Morocco, when Chelle’s side lost on post-match penalties in the semi-final.

Osimhen, who has won league titles in Italy and Turkey, and was crowned 2023 African Player of the Year, is known to be quick-tempered, a trait that has been seen both at club and national team level.