Nigerian international Ogenyi Onazi has urged Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman to leave their current clubs this summer.
His advice follows Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini’s harsh criticism of Lookman after his missed penalty against Club Brugge in the Champions League. Osimhen faced similar treatment in 2023 when Napoli mocked him in a bizarre TikTok video after he missed a penalty.
Speaking with Sport Boom, the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner suggested both players should consider moving on when the transfer window opens.
“I told Osimhen he had achieved the unimaginable for Napoli and should leave while the ovation was still loud. He renewed his contract instead, and when things turned sour, he reached out—proving my advice might have been the right call,” Onazi said.
The former Super Eagles midfielder also criticized Gasperini’s comments about Lookman.
“It’s disappointing to hear such remarks from an experienced coach about one of his key players. Lookman is the current African Player of the Year and has always given his best for Atalanta. Even after returning from injury, he helped his team get back into the game. Anyone can miss a penalty, even the best.
“Atalanta took a chance on him when he was struggling, and he has since proven his worth. If he had failed, they wouldn’t have kept him. Perhaps it’s time for him to move on, find a new club, and enjoy his football elsewhere,” Onazi concluded.
