Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen has been offered a private jet by his French Ligue 1 club, Lille, which will fly him back to Nigeria for his father’s burial.
Osimhen had taken to Twitter on Saturday night to announce the passing of his father, Patrick Osimhen, who died after a brief illness at the age of 80.
In a statement on Monday, the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick disclosed that Osimhen will soon fly back to the country for his father’s burial as his club, Lille, are said to have made available a private aircraft to convey him.
Pinnick said the French Ligue 1 club is doing everything possible to ensure the youngster comes back home to be with his family and probably attend the funeral, noting that the NFF had already applied for landing permit but approval is yet to be given.
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The NFF president was the first to reach out to the player following his father’s demise and he assured the Nigerian striker of the empathy and support of the country’s football family at this challenging moment for the youngster and his family.
“I have spoken to Victor Osimhen and expressed the sorrow of the NFF and the entire Nigerian Football family,” Pinnick said.
“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.”
Osimhen is the record holder for the highest number of goals at the FIFA U17 World Cup, after winning the top scorer at the 2015 finals in Chile with 10 goals as the Golden Eaglets cruised to a fifth title.
He also has scored four goals for Nigeria at senior level, including three in the Super Eagles’ 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Lesotho late last year.
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