71-year-old coach almost shot after comparing ‘big player’ Victor Osimhen to 29-year-old local hero

The coach reveals how Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen almost cost him his life after he compared him to a local hero.

South Africa national team coach Hugo Broos hit out at the country’s media, claiming they were too harsh on him after his comments comparing Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen to local hero Percy Tau.

Appearing on the Frank&Franky podcast, the Belgian coach revealed he came under fire for suggesting Tau is not a ‘big player’ in the same bracket as Osimhen and Sadio Mane.

Coach Reveals Osimhen Incident

Broos believes this incident highlights how the South African media can be overly critical and harsh in their assessments.

“They almost shot me for it, because I said Percy Tau is not a big player,” Broos said according to a report on nieuwsblad.

“When I talk about a big player, I think of (Sadio) Mane at Senegal or Osimhen at Nigeria.”

“The press then makes Percy Tau out to be a real star player. Strangely enough, Tau was then bombarded with criticism afterwards because he didn’t play well.”

His comments asserting Napoli star Osimhen’s elite status did not go down well with some fans and pundits, who feel Tau’s achievements deserve more respect.

The 29-year-old has been one of the country’s top performers in recent years, playing in the Premier League for Brighton as well as starring for Bafana Bafana.

However, Broos stands by his opinion that players like Osimhen, who scored 31 goals last season to make history with Napoli and has 17 goals in 30 appearances this season, currently operate at a higher level than Tau.

The 71-year-old is clearly unhappy at the reaction to his seemingly innocuous comments made during a light-hearted podcast appearance.

Broos and his Bafana Bafana squad will be in Nigeria to take on Osimhen and the Super Eagles in a decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.