Former Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit has drawn comparisons between Victor Osimhen and the club’s former striker, Diego Costa.

Petit, who also played for Arsenal, described Osimhen as a fighter, much like Costa.

The Nigerian forward has been strongly linked with a summer move to Chelsea and Arsenal.

Osimhen is currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli.

Speaking to GOAL, Petit expressed some concerns about Osimhen’s personality and character.

“My concerns with Victor Osimhen would be with his personality and character. It can be a great asset to a team if it fits in well, but it might also be challenging in certain teams.”

“We all know his abilities and what he brings to a team—he can score goals and add character.”

He further added:

“In that sense, he reminds me of Diego Costa. He’s a fighter.”

Osimhen is currently in the Super Eagles camp in Kigali as Nigeria prepares to face Rwanda in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday.

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has shared details of his text message exchange with Liam Roberts after a dangerous tackle by the Millwall goalkeeper left him with a severe ear laceration that required 25 stitches.

Earlier this month, Crystal Palace secured a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals with a victory over Millwall. However, the fifth-round clash was overshadowed by Roberts’ reckless challenge on Mateta.

During the match at Selhurst Park, Roberts rushed out of his goal in an attempt to clear the ball but instead delivered a kung-fu-style kick to Mateta’s head, leaving the forward motionless on the pitch.

Palace’s medical team provided immediate treatment, administering oxygen before Mateta was taken to the hospital. Following the incident, the English FA issued Roberts a six-match suspension.

Providing an update on his condition, Mateta told Sky Sports, “I feel good, I feel great. I remember everything—the kick, lying on the floor. It wasn’t like a concussion. When he kicked me, I stayed down, waiting for him to get a red card, and I was ready to continue.”

Mateta also revealed his conversation with Roberts after the incident. “He reached out to me, he texted while I was in the hospital. I told him, ‘It’s okay, it’s football. We’ll see.’”

He continued, “He apologized and seemed genuinely concerned. But what’s done is done. I’m not a goalkeeper, so maybe I don’t fully understand their perspective. But I feel like he went too far trying to stop me from scoring.”

Alhassan Yusuf has joined the Super Eagles at their Radisson Blu Hotel camp in Kigali.

The New England Revolution midfielder arrived at the team’s camp on Tuesday morning.

With Yusuf’s arrival, head coach Eric Chelle now has a full squad, as all invited players are present in camp.

The Super Eagles kicked off their preparations for the match on Tuesday, marking their first official training session under Chelle.

Yusuf is expected to participate in tonight’s training session.

The team will train at the Amahoro Stadium on Thursday to familiarize themselves with the pitch ahead of their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Amavubi on Friday.