“Africa Needs Another World Best” – George Weah Tells Osimhen
By Amaechi Agbo
1995 World Footballer of Year, George Weah has told SC Napoli of Italy and Nigeria striker, Victor Osimhen that Africa continent needs “another World Best” player.
Weah who is the president of his country, Liberia stated this in a congratulatory message he sent to the 24 years old forward after he broke Weah’s record in the Italian Serie A as Africa’s Top Scorer in the league in all competitions.
Weah previously held the record of 46 goals scored by an African player in the league but Osimhen got the record shattered last week after he netted from the spot to increases his goal in the league to 47 this season.
Remarkably, Osimhen’s 46th goal handed Napoli their first ever Italian Serie A title against Udinese in 33 years.
“My heartfelt congratulations to you, Victor Osimhen! I am very glad that you have accomplished a major milestone in your football career, after scoring your 47th goal in the Italian Serie A league.
“The records show that with this goal, which you netted on Sunday, May 7, 2023 when your team Napoli went against Fiorentina, effectively makes you the African with the highest scoring record in the Italian Serie A league – surpassing my own account of 46 goals.
“I am so proud of your exploits and congratulate you on this remarkable achievement which is a result of your hard work, dedication and tenacity. I am also pleased with your kind words of honor in tribute to me upon reaching such a giant milestone.
“With your dedication, commitment, humility, hard work, you can conquer the World. Africa needs another World Best. Africa needs another European Best. You Victor, can deliver that for us,” Weah who won the 1995 World Best while playing for AC Milan, said.
He admonished the former Lille of France attacker against being contended with just one Scudetto title challenging him to go for more records to be broken and trophies to be won
“However, I want to admonish you not be contented. There are many more of my records for you to break. I wish you go on to achieve greater success.
George Weah is the first and only African player to have won the World Best Player. He did it in 1995
“You have won one Scudetto. Great! When I won my first Scudetto with Milan, I said to myself, why one, why not two? I went on to win another Scudetto with Milan. I went on to win the Ballon D’or. So why not two or more for you Victor? The sky is your limit.”
Weah believes that should Osimhen keep his head low, he would score 100 goals in a Serie A season adding that Africa had the best of talents in football despite huge challenges facing them.
“I watched your goal against Udinese when your 52nd -minute header won the Scudetto for Napoli. Your movement, your passion, your determination and hunger brought back many memories to me. I wait for your 100th Goal in all competitions in Italy so that you can celebrate (but don’t remove your shirt like I did or you will get a Yellow Card)
“The records that I set were meant not as a challenge, but as a motivation to you and other African Players. We have the best of talents. You have to remain humble, tenacious and focused. Don’t be distracted.
“There are many great African players in European leagues. They are already up against the hurdles of playing against many odds in leagues and stadiums so far away from home which present challenges for them; so to beat the odds and climb to the top is worth our commendation.
“May you continue to surge forward. My prayers are with you. My blessings are also with you. I am rooting for you Victor,” he concluded.
