Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has moved swiftly to address and clarify comments made by Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle regarding his absence from the national team's upcoming friendly matches against Poland and Portugal. The Galatasaray forward insisted that Chelle's remarks had been taken out of context, revealing that he had spoken directly with the coach to clear up any misunderstandings.

The clarification comes amidst growing discussions among fans and media after Chelle explained why several key players, including Osimhen, would not be available for Nigeria's June fixtures against the two European nations. Speaking after Nigeria's 3-0 victory over Jamaica in the Unity Cup final in London, Chelle had acknowledged Osimhen's significance to both the Super Eagles and Galatasaray. He emphasized the need to respect decisions made during the off-season, stating, "Victor Osimhen is an important player for Nigeria and Galatasaray. This period is off-season when a lot of things happen off-the-pitch and we must respect certain decisions that are not in our hands."

These comments were widely interpreted as a reference to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Osimhen's club future, following an impressive season with Galatasaray where he helped the Turkish giants secure domestic success. Osimhen has maintained his reputation as one of Europe's most sought-after strikers, adding weight to such speculation.

However, Osimhen has now sought to put an end to any suggestions of controversy. In a statement, the 27-year-old striker said, "I just had a phone call with Eric Chelle about the comments he made regarding me in his latest interview. Unfortunately, his words were taken out of context and blown out of proportion. He has great respect for Galatasaray, follows most of our matches, and never had any intention of creating controversy."

Osimhen expressed appreciation for the conversation with the Super Eagles coach, reaffirming his unwavering commitment to representing Nigeria. "I appreciate this conversation and the opportunity to always represent my country. I'm looking forward to continuing to work with him," Osimhen added. He further praised Chelle, stating, "He's a very good coach whom I hold in high regard, and I ask that the speculation surrounding this matter be disregarded. Thank you for your support." This statement is expected to reinforce the positive relationship between the national team coach and one of Nigeria's most influential players.

Osimhen is not alone in missing the upcoming friendlies. His absence is part of several changes to the squad that recently retained the Unity Cup title in London. Ademola Lookman will also be unavailable, having been granted additional time to recover after a demanding club season. Samuel Chukwueze has been excused on compassionate grounds following the burial of his mother. Additionally, midfielders Alhassan Yusuf and Samson Tijani are unable to participate due to visa-related issues.

The Super Eagles are scheduled to face Poland on June 3rd, followed by a match against Portugal a week later. Coach Chelle is expected to utilize these fixtures to assess new options and further strengthen his evolving squad, preparing for future challenges despite the notable absences.