Osimhen: From Scavenger, Street Hawker to Africa’s Best Footballer

By Ozumi Abdul

In the words of Africa’s greatest statesman, Dr Nelson Mandela, “it always seems impossible until it’s finally done.”

This idiom aptly typifies the life of Victor Osimhen, the current African best player, who rose from the disdainful and denigratory dreg of Lagos society in Olusosun area of Oregun, to the world stage as an Italian Scudetto winner.

Born on December 29, 1998, Victor James Osimhen, never had a rosy childhood experience, as he went through several challenges of life.

As a toddler, he spent most of his time strapped to his mother’s back while she sold sachet water under the scorching sun in Lagos traffic.

He grew up in the midst of his brother, Andrew and 4 other siblings in the Olusosun community which is reputed to play host to one of the largest dump sites in Africa. Thus, it’s safe to say Osimhen’s life has been from grass to grace.

According to an interview he once granted to Brila FM, a Lagos-based sport radio, Osimhen hawked sachet water on the streets in order to raise funds for his education and general family survival.

He also shared the experience of how he was once scorned by a neighbour his family shared apartment with thus: “Na for this compound una go die put.”

Osimhen’s career kicked off from the very scratch as a typical Lagos street footballer because he attended a local community school – Olusosun Primary School – where every evening, pupils and community youngsters usually gathered at the school field.

The young Osimhen would go to the field to watch his elder brother, Andrew, play. His brother was said to be a good joggler of the ball.

Even while hawking, he always endeavoured to learn the rudiments of football, with the help of his brother.

Andrew was said to have had the premonition that his younger brother, Victor, would make headway in football, and thus decided to switch to newspaper-selling business to support him.

“My brother sold sports newspapers, my sister, oranges in the street and me, bottled water in Lagos in the middle of the traffic. We had to survive so we stuck together,” Osimhen said.

How Osimhen Got Scouted

As his football talent became obvious, Osimhen soon became the cynosure. He was immediately picked up and had his first successful trial with Ultimate Strikers, a club based in Ojota, Lagos.

After his successful spell during the trial, Osimhen’s rising career quickly surged in 2014, as his spectacular performance with Ultimate Strikers earned him a call from Coach Emmanuel Amuneke of the Golden Eaglets.

During the FIFA Under 17 World Cup, Osimhen announced himself properly to the world stage, bagging a brace in his debut game for the Eaglets, while also attracting the eagle eyes of European scouts.

Nigeria eventually lifted the trophy, while Osimhen won the golden boot gong with 10 goals.

After his world cup experience, several European big clubs, such as Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham etc started scavenging the talismanic Osimhen, but he ended up in German Bundesliga club Wolfsburg.

Osimhen penned a three-and-a-half-year pre-contract deal starting from May 2017. The deal kept him at the club till June 2022, but he saw his first season in the Bundesliga messed up with a shoulder injury.

On the 22nd of August 2018, Belgian First Division club, Sporting Charleroi, accepted him on a season-long loan deal. Osimhen quickly responded with a goal, his first professional goal, with his backheel.

“I found my happiness again after such a long wait,” he told BBC Sport. He went on to have a successful loan spell in Belgium, scoring 20 goals in 36 games.

In Mid 2019, Losc Lille – a french Club – completed the signing of the then 20-year-old Osimhen from Sporting Charleroi. He penned a five-year deal that will keep him at the Stade Pierre Mauroy until 2024.

He made a total of 27 appearances, scoring 13 goals in the process.

Then in July 2021, Osimhen’s career witnessed a monumental rise yet again as he secured a move to Naples in a deal quoted to worth around €50 million.

In Naples, Osimhen’s stint has been nothing short of success, as he finished the 2022/23 season with an impressive 26 goals in 32 Serie A appearances.

He led Napoli to the Italian Scudetto after 33 years. He became Africa’s all-time serie-A top scorer ahead of the legendary Samuel Eto.

Some days ago, he shared the podium with the talismanic Liverpool and Egyptian forward, Mohammed Sallah, as he was crowned Africa’s Best Footballer for the year 2023, joining the likes of Amuneke, Late Rasheed Yekini, Victor Ikpeba and Kanu Nwankwo who have won it in Nigerian colours.

Osimhen’s street-to-stardom tale is a real inspiration for all kids out there. Everyone needs to know that no matter their childhood challenges or the reality of their backgrounds, their talents and dedication can lead them to the Promised Land.