The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have expressed their sympathy with Lille attacker Victor Osimhen following the death of his father.
Victor’s father, Patrick Osimhen, passed away at the age of 80 on Sunday in Lagos after a brief illness according to reports.
The Super Eagles star took to social media on Sunday morning to announce the heartbreaking news backed with a broken heart emoji.
“RIP Dad. No words to describe this feeling,” he tweeted.
😭😭💔 pic.twitter.com/YRA9LCdtUh
— victor osimhen (@victorosimhen9) May 24, 2020
President of NFF Amaju Pinnick has sympathized with the former U-17 World Cup winner and assured him of the support of country’s football family during this challenging moment.
Mr. Pinnick also disclosed that Osimhen’s club Lille have given him a private aircraft in order to come to Nigeria for his father’s burial.
Pinnick told the NFF website: “I have spoken to Victor Osimhen and expressed the sorrow of the NFF and the entire Nigerian Football family.”
“His club, Lille OSC of France have given him a private aircraft to come to Nigeria to be with his family and probably for the burial rites.
“We have applied for landing permit but we are yet to get this. However, we are still on it and hopeful for the sake of the young lad.
“The loss of either parent is usually a moment of heartbreak for anyone. We condole with Victor [Osimhen] at this moment and pray that God will grant his late father eternal rest, while also granting the family the fortitude to bear the great loss.”
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, commiserated with Osimhen on social media on the loss of his father.
“Condolence: Our hearts go out to Victor Osimhen Nigerian national player and Lille forward over the loss of his father. I have spoken with him on the phone today to offer my condolences,” Dare tweeted
Condolence: Our hearts go out to Victor Osimhen @victorosimhen9 Nigerian national player and Lille forward over the loss of his father. I have spoken with him on the phone today to offer my condolences
— Sunday Dare (@SundayDareSD) May 24, 2020
Osimhen was Lille’s top scorer in the 1019-20 Ligue 1 season, scoring 13 goals and providing four assists in 27 appearances.
He was named the Ligue 1 Player of the Month for September and helped Lille to finish fourth in the league table.
Osimhen played a part in Nigeria’s third-place finish at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, managing only 45 minutes of football in the tournament.
