Mourinho criticizes Osimhen for diving, calls for respect to African football legends

By Robert Mutasi 

José Mourinho, head coach of Farnabahce, lashed out at Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who was loaned out to Galatasaray club, because of his habit of diving in the course of the game. 

Speaking after a recent Serie A clash of AS Roma and Napoli, Mourinho didn't hide frustration for the behavior of the Nigerian forward.

"I speak with him every time I play against him because I don't like the way he behaves; he dives too much," Mourinho said in his post-match interview. 

His words raised a storm in the football arena, with many speaking badly about the style of Osimhen, while others came forward in his support, being one of the great Napoli strikers and carrying much value for his team.

His criticism did not end with Osimhen as he brought in the names of African football icons to drive his point home. 

"You look back [at African football's past], Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o, George Weah. You cannot behave like this," Mourinho added, insinuating that Osimhen's actions undermine the legacy of great African players who became legends of the sport without relying on such tactics.

His comments have gone viral in the media, underlining a fact that there is some generation gap between Mourinho's kind of football and modern football where tactical fouling, diving, and simulation have taken center stage.

That Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o, and George Weah headline that list says it all about the need to live up to standards created by these legends of African football.

Strong, leading, and able to hold their heads high whenever going got tough on the pitch, the trio of Drogba, Eto'o, and Weah has often been hailed for resilience and professionalism.

Victor Osimhen has grown into one of Europe's most exciting forwards, vital to the recent successes of Napoli.

He has been praised for his pace, positioning, and finish that have been fundamental to Napoli's title win this season in Serie A for the 2022-2023 campaign.

But critics have pegged him for his over-eagerness in going down during physical challenges, while comments like these from Mourinho add fuel to the fire.

While some of Mourinho's comments have divided opinion, they reflect broader debates about sportsmanship and that thin line between competitiveness and unsportsmanlike conduct.

Any which way, the storm on Osimhen's behavior is not going away anytime soon with high-profile individuals like Mourinho weighing in on the debate.