By Oluwadamilola Olaleye
Viktoria Plzeň head coach Miroslav Koubek has voiced his unwavering support for Nigerian striker Rafiu Durosinmi, despite the forward’s ongoing goal-scoring struggles that have drawn criticism from fans and the media.
The 22-year-old striker was unable to find the net as Plzeň were held to a frustrating 1-1 home draw against Slovácko, a result that saw disappointed supporters express their discontent with boos.
Addressing the media in the post-match press conference, Koubek acknowledged Durosinmi’s dip in form but emphasized the player’s dedication and hard work.
“Rafiu needs to get back into form,” Koubek stated bluntly. “Bathe him in the newspapers if you must. Just a few months ago, he was the best striker in the league. Now, he lacks that well-being and athletic form.”
Despite this, the coach highlighted the striker’s fighting spirit and commitment, noting, “But he fought, he worked hard. That’s the most important thing at a moment when he’s not performing well.”
Transfer speculation surrounding Durosinmi’s future has added to the pressure, with clubs like Lazio and Udinese reportedly interested in securing the Nigerian forward’s services before the current transfer window closes.
As the transfer rumors persist, Koubek’s public show of faith aims to bolster the young striker’s confidence and encourage him to rediscover his goal-scoring touch.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
