Osimhen and Lookman were treated poorly — Ex-Super Eagles star slams Serie A

Former Super Eagles defender Godwin Okpara shares the opinion that Nigerian footballers are being mistreated in the Serie A, citing examples with Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen’s acrimonious transfer sagas in their bids to leave the Italian top flight.

In an interview with Soccernet, Okpara, who registered 28 caps for the Super Eagles, echoed the sentiments of many Nigerian fans who are displeased with the negative experiences Lookman and Osimhen have had in Serie A. 

“When you look at Lookman, he is a player that the whole nation loves; he’s a humble person and a well-determined player,” Okpara said. “What I observe in this Italian league is the way they are treating our players. I don’t understand. Lookman is not the first player.”

“When you look at when [Victor] Osimhen was there, the same issue,” he added. “Most of our players are having issues in the Italian league. I don’t know why. And at the end of the day, when they leave there, you see that their game changes. Look at what Osimhen is doing in Galatasaray.”

titleThe Super Eagles' two CAF Player of the Year winners both had historic stints in Serie A: Osimhen led the Partenopei to their first league titles since the 80s, while Lookman ended a 61-year trophy drought at La Dea when he scored a hat-trick in the final to help Atalanta claim Europa League glory under Gian Piero Gasperini. 

Despite their incredible success and idolatry-worthy achievements, both players endured negative experiences in Italy. Lookman was berated by his head coach, Gasperini, after missing a penalty in their Champions League exit to Club Brugge last season, on top of many failed attempts at an exit with Atalanta proving tough negotiators.

The former Leipzig man went on strike last summer in an attempt to force an exit, to no avail. That saga came one summer after Atalanta rejected a bid from Paris Saint-Germain, after Lookman had agreed to personal terms.

Osimhen, his Super Eagles teammate, also had a torrid time when he attempted to leave Napoli, with Partenopei insisting on his exorbitant release clause, factors which contributed to his transfer to Galatasaray.