A Skype call in friendship with Oma Akatugba. The Nigerian journalist, a brotherly friend of Victor Oshimen, the new big purchase of Napoli. A very pleasant half hour. We have discovered a true character, endowed with great culture and intelligence. An impeccable professional as well as a lovable, ironic and very nice person. In perfect 17su24 style. He told us about Victor, his story, his hopes, their friendship. But also of Africa, of racism and beautiful projects. Always with a smile and with great passion. What to say. We already love this “great son of…” as someone on social media defined him, painting him. And we look forward to meet him in Naples to take him to lunch with Victor to eat macaroni omelettes, pizza and baba.
Ladies and gentlemen, exclusively for 17su24 Oma Akatugba:
1. Hi Oma. Let’s start. How is football perceived in Africa especially in this particular period?
– It’s a very complicated question. Africa is an immense continent. And Covid19 is a very serious problem. Distinctions must be made. In South Africa and Egypt, for example, the situation is ok. In other parts of Africa much less. The championships are all stopped. There are the Europeans who come to get the players. That yes. Lazio is very active among the Italian teams. In Italy there is Simy from Crotone. Leading scorer. He is also from Lagos.
2. How did a citizen of Lagos become the highest paid African player in history?
– It’s a good story. Amazing. A real fairy tale. Victor started out of nowhere. He made many sacrifices. He sold newspapers on the street. He also had a lot of luck. Now he will play in one of the most important teams in Europe and is the highest paid African player in history. It is a great pride. God is great.
3. What must European football do to enhance African football? How do you help African children who want to play football on their land? How could we help you with our association?
– Unfortunately there is a lot to do, really a lot. Starting from the simplest things. Everything is missing. Soccer shoes are missing. T-shirts and shorts are missing. Balloons are missing. Children play on the street. The few existing fields are in sand. But it’s nice that we talk about it. It’s important. We need the help of western associations and organizations. I am available if needed.
4. Are there other talents, very young, not only Nigerians that we will soon see in Europe and in Italy?
– Sure. Africa is full of young talents. There could be another thousand Victor. Maybe playing on the street or in a makeshift field. Talented kids like Victor who hope someone will notice them and bring them to Europe. The talent is there. You just have to find it and go and get these future champions.
5. What brings Nigeria closer to Naples?
– Beautiful question. They are very, very similar places. They are welcoming places. And inclusive. Inhabited by beautiful people. Naples is by no means racist. And welcome everyone. It is the Italian city closest to us. This is also why Victor chose it with enthusiasm. I heard a song that says Lagos is like Naples …
6. What is diversity for you? And racism?
– Tough question. Really tough. Diversity does not exist. We are all equal. Whites. Blacks. Indians. And we have to help each other out. Let’s shake hands. We are all part of the same race, of the one great human race. Sometimes the black man scares the white man but we have nothing different. And then, let me tell you, we too have great excellences. Not just athletes. Also many intellectual excellences. Writers. Actors. Poets. Artists. Engineers.
7. You are now very famous in Naples. You are the friend of Victor Oshimen’s heart, how is your friendship born?
– It is a long-standing friendship. I was doing a TV show in Nigeria and I interviewed him several times. Then I helped him a lot when he arrived in Wolsfburg. I helped him get involved. Even with the language and habits. (Oma lives in Germany). Since then we are like brothers. And I’m accompanying him throughout my career. First at Lille and now at Napoli.
8. Many approach Victor to Cavani … is that so?
– yes there is a certain similarity (laughs) but he is a very particular player, he is a bit Eto’o and a bit Drogba.
9. Weah elegance, Drogba power. Eto’o the class … and Oshimen?
– Oshimen is all this together is something more. He has the strength of his story. He is a young boy who has already seen many in his life. He is a true predestined. The bomber. He has the “cazzima” (the free translation is ours), he only sees the door, he is targeted for that.
10. 2 years ago 25 games and 12 goals in Belgium, in the last year 27 matches and 13 goals in France. In Italy everything will be a little more complicated. Is Victor willing to sacrifice himself even on defense?
– He is a great professional and a great athlete. You never save and always wants to learn. Victor will have no problem adapting to a more tactical football that also requires great sacrifice.
11. Is there a sample from the past or present that looks like Victor?
– Not easy. I think about it well and I’ll tell you next time.
12. Okay. Then you will tell us for lunch as soon as you come to Naples. Obviously you are our guest with Victor. How should the menu be?
– I know this. I love the pasta omelette. The macaroni omelette. And of course pizza. But the babà is also very good. Victor is crazy about pizza Margherita and he too likes pasta omelette.
13. Do you know any Neapolitan artists?
– I read that Pino Daniele wrote splendid songs with African rhythms too. I can’t wait to listen to them.
14. Who do you think is the strongest player in history? And what stronger than now?
– I would say these: Maradona. Pelé. Messi. Ronaldo.
15. Honestly, friends are forgiven everything but do you like Victor’s yellow escarole haircut?
– (laughs very amused). This question makes me laugh a lot. Because we talked about it just recently. He asked me for advice. He didn’t know whether to keep them like this. I said absolutely yes. Because it is its hallmark. Its characteristic. The trademark.
16. And to top it off, you who know him well describe Victor with an adjective? Give us a nickname, a nickname, for the report cards.
– One word? Phenomenon (it says so, in Italian). Indeed, wait, even better “The Prince of Naples”, the Prince of Naples. Taking inspiration from the famous film with Eddy Murphy.
There is another thing that Oma has told us and we have reserved ourselves as the final gem. We asked him what is the characteristic of Victor Oshimen that will make fans fall in love. Oma replied as follows: simple he IS NEAPOLITAN. So welcome Victor, Prince of Zamunda, our Nigerian-Neapolitan prince!
Many thanks to Oma Akatugba.
And Forza Napoli Sempre
