Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has named Didier Drogba, Odion Ighalo and former Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel as the key figures who influenced his development as a professional footballer, crediting them alongside God and his family for his rise to the top of African football.

Osimhen spoke during a Twitch livestream with comedian Carter Efe in the early hours of Saturday.

The Galatasaray forward who is currently in Nigeria recovering from a broken arm suffered in the club’s UEFA Champions League fixture against Liverpool said, “I attribute all my success to God. And there are some people who are human beings who put me on the right path.

“In terms of football, everybody knows I draw my inspiration from Didier Drogba. And also the likes of Odion Ighalo.”

Osimhen said he visited Ighalo at his home on Friday and described the former Super Eagles top scorer as a profound influence on his life and career.

“He is someone I love and respect so much and I know the impact he has played in my career,” he said, adding that Ighalo was “a great football player, a big legend” and “one of the guys, people that I have met in football that have really made an impact.”

On Mikel, Osimhen recalled a striking gesture of generosity from the Chelsea legend during his first Super Eagles camp appearance.

“I saw him after we ate. I saw him and told him, ‘Senior man, I they come in your room.’ He say, make I follow am immediately,” Osimhen said.

“He asked me to come to his room and he sent me money. I can’t say how much he gave me but he gave me pounds.”

Osimhen also paid tribute to the Nigerian football heroes he grew up watching before he joined the national team.

“When we were young and used to watch Super Eagles matches, we used to watch Kanu Nwankwo, Okocha, Mikel Obi,” he said.

“Even before I got into the Super Eagles, Ighalo has always been running the show for the Super Eagles.” (PUNCH)

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