Former Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar has ignited a fiery debate across the football community by making controversial remarks about Nigerian superstar Victor Osimhen. The veteran striker, currently without a club, suggested that Osimhen's Galatasaray teammate Mauro Icardi and AS Roma's Tammy Abraham are superior players.
Aboubakar's Controversial Comparison
In an interview reported by FutbolArena, the 33-year-old Aboubakar did not hold back in his assessment of the Super Eagles forward. He explicitly stated that Mauro Icardi "plays better football" than Victor Osimhen, reducing the Nigerian's contribution to just goal-scoring.
"Osimhen only has goals. If you take away that, what else does he have?" Aboubakar questioned. He went further to claim, "Put Tammy Abraham in Galatasaray, he will score more goals." These comments come despite Osimhen's successful debut season in Turkey, where he won a domestic double and finished as the Super Lig's top scorer.
Context of Aboubakar's Recent Setbacks
Aboubakar's remarks arrive at a sensitive time in his own career. The Cameroonian legend was recently left out of the squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) by the Cameroon Football Federation. This snub mirrors a similar exclusion from the 2019 tournament under then-coach Clarence Seedorf.
Furthermore, the striker experienced national team heartbreak earlier, failing to guide the Indomitable Lions to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Cameroon lost to DR Congo in the playoff semifinal, denying Aboubakar a fourth World Cup appearance.
Despite these recent setbacks, his legacy remains intact. He is Cameroon's second all-time top scorer with 48 goals in 109 appearances, just eight behind the legendary Samuel Eto'o. Aboubakar also boasts an AFCON title from 2017 and the Golden Boot from the 2021 edition.
Fans React with Fury and Mockery
The football community, especially Nigerian fans, reacted swiftly and sharply to Aboubakar's comments. Many took to social media to defend Osimhen and question the motive behind the comparison.
One user, @iamscaz, linked the comments to Aboubakar's AFCON omission, writing: "I now understand why he was dropped by Cameroon." Another fan, @YinkaTinuade, reminded everyone of Osimhen's pivotal role against Cameroon in the last AFCON, saying, "Abi has he forgotten how Oshimen hunted down the Cameroonian defender, dispossessed him & passed to Lookman to score...?"
The core function of a striker became a central point of contention. User @dreaaaaaams_ pointedly asked, "What is the role of a center forward if not to score goals? Aboubakar is a striker and should know this." Similarly, @omorogiec criticized the logic, stating, "Someone please tell Vincent Aboubakar that Osimhen is a striker, without goal scoring, there's no rating left."
Osimhen's Rising Stock Amidst the Noise
While Aboubakar downplays his impact, Victor Osimhen's market value and performance tell a different story. The Nigerian has been one of the world's most sought-after strikers since leading Napoli to the Serie A title in the 2022/23 season.
Super Eagles legend Sunday Oliseh recently confirmed genuine interest from European giants Real Madrid in signing Osimhen, though he did not reveal his source. This interest underscores the high regard in which the player is held globally, contrasting sharply with Aboubakar's assessment.
As the debate rages online, it highlights the passionate rivalries and strong opinions that define African football. Aboubakar's comments, whether born from personal bias, rivalry, or genuine analysis, have successfully put the spotlight back on the enduring comparison between some of the continent's top attacking talents.
