Osimhen Recalls Iheanacho's Crucial Intervention During 2017 Super Eagles Debut
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has provided a detailed account of an incident that nearly overshadowed his debut for the Nigerian senior national team in 2017. The Galatasaray forward, who is currently Nigeria's second all-time top scorer behind legendary Rashidi Yekini, explained how teammate Kelechi Iheanacho saved him from potential embarrassment during his first call-up.
From U-17 Stardom to Senior Team Initiation
Osimhen first gained international recognition during Nigeria's triumphant 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup campaign, where he scored an impressive 10 goals in just seven matches. His outstanding performances earned him both the Golden Boot as tournament top scorer and the Silver Ball award. Two years later, former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr extended an invitation to the promising striker for senior national team duties.
The 27-year-old made his official debut against South Africa in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. Unfortunately, the match ended in disappointment for Nigeria, with goals from Tokelo Rantie and Percy Tau securing victory for Bafana Bafana. This result marked South Africa's first competitive win against Nigeria in 25 years and made Rohr the first Nigerian coach to lose a competitive match to the Southern African side.
The Boot-Carrying Incident That Nearly Went Wrong
In a viral video shared on social media platform X, Osimhen recounted the specific incident involving Iheanacho. "When I first joined the Super Eagles in 2017," Osimhen explained, "I remember meeting Kelechi Iheanacho and telling him I wanted to carry his boots at the hotel in Uyo."
The young striker continued: "Instead of waiting to follow him to his room, I went ahead after getting his room number. When I got there, his roommate opened the door and turned me away."
Osimhen revealed that Iheanacho, who was already an established player at the time, reacted strongly upon learning what had happened. "He was a big player at the time, so when Iheanacho arrived and heard what happened, he got angry and scolded his teammate," Osimhen added, highlighting the Leicester City forward's protective intervention.
Team Initiation and Fan Reactions
Osimhen was formally initiated into the Super Eagles alongside teammates Mikel Agu, Alhassan Ibrahim, and Henry Onyekuru by former captain Ogenyi Onazi on June 6, 2017. This traditional welcoming process marks a significant milestone for new national team players.
Fans have expressed mixed reactions to Osimhen's revelation about the incident. One social media user commented: "Even for Super Eagles, levels dey! Imagine bouncing your teammate you are meant to play with." Another observer noted: "These things actually exist amongst African players who should show great communal character. These are things senior white players do to youngsters who come newly into teams."
A third fan speculated about the identity of the teammate involved, stating: "I'm sure it was that match we lost against SA, 2017. I don't want to believe it was Iwobi, cuz they were roomies around that time."
Osimhen's Continued Rise in National Team Colors
The Napoli star continues to make significant contributions to the Super Eagles, recently increasing his goal tally with a hat-trick during Nigeria's 4-0 victory over Benin Republic in the final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. This impressive performance brings him closer to surpassing Rashidi Yekini's longstanding record as Nigeria's all-time top scorer.
Osimhen's recollection of his early national team experiences provides insight into the dynamics within professional football squads and highlights the importance of supportive senior players in nurturing young talent. The incident demonstrates how established athletes like Iheanacho can positively influence newcomers during critical transition periods in their careers.
