Former Nigerian footballer and Director Kwara Football Academy (KFA), Samuel Elijah has called for calm and dialogue in the ongoing dispute between Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen and Finidi George, Owosports.com.ng reports.
Elijah, a midfielder who was part of the Flying Eagles squad at the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship, believes that forgiveness and understanding are essential in resolving the conflict.
Osimhen and Finidi George have been at loggerheads recently, with many calling for the football authorities to take action. However, Elijah advises against punitive measures, instead urging the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to facilitate a peaceful resolution.
“Dialogue is the key to resolving this issue,” Elijah said to journalists in Ilorin on Tuesday. “We should bring the two parties together and make peace. Osimhen is a young player with a lot of potential, and we shouldn’t discard him because of one mistake. Finidi George should forgive him, and the NFF should handle the matter with sensitivity.”
Elijah added, “I think Osimhen is a young chap, and youthful exuberance may have played a role in this incident. We can’t do away with him because of his actions. What we need to do is find a way to persuade Finidi George to forgive him. I believe there may be something behind this incident that we don’t know about, so let’s try to make peace and move forward.”
