In a heartfelt apology, Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen expressed regret to manager Rudi Garcia and his Napoli teammates following his emotional outburst when substituted during Sunday’s game against Bologna.
During a private dressing room speech, Osimhen acknowledged that he had overreacted and clarified that his intense desire to win had fueled his frustration. Napoli fans will undoubtedly appreciate his willingness to take responsibility for his actions.
Napoli, in an official statement, reaffirmed their confidence in Rudi Garcia but emphasized the need for positive results in upcoming matches to maintain team morale.
Osimhen’s goal drought extended to four matches as Napoli played out a goalless draw against Joshua Zirkzee’s Bologna at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara. The Nigerian striker had several opportunities to break the deadlock, including hitting the woodwork early in the game and missing a crucial spot kick in the 72nd minute.
Tensions escalated when Coach Rudi Garcia decided to substitute Osimhen for Giovanni Simeone in the closing minutes, resulting in a visibly frustrated Osimhen leaving the pitch.
Despite the incident, Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo emphasized the team’s commitment to managing such episodes internally and remaining focused on improving their performance.