Osimhen says winning the AFCON is the ‘most important thing’ for the Super Eagles
Victor Osimhen has expressed unwavering confidence in the Super Eagles ability, saying winning the AFCON title is the most important thing.
Despite being ranked sixth on the continent, Nigeria is considered one of the favorites for the 34th edition of the prestigious tournament.
Challenging Competition:
The AFCON is filled with formidable opponents, including World Cup semifinalists Morocco, reigning African champions Senegal, the inspired Egypt led by Mohamed Salah, and former winners Algeria. The tournament, commencing on January 13, promises intense competition among these football powerhouses.
Nigeria’s Journey:
Before securing a shot at the AFCON title, Nigeria must first navigate through the group stage, where they find themselves pitted against hosts Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau. The subsequent knockout rounds present additional challenges, but Osimhen and the Super Eagles are determined to overcome them.
A Decade-Long Quest:
Nigeria, a three-time AFCON winner, has not hoisted the trophy in a decade. Osimhen, however, believes that the narrative is on the cusp of a transformation. The Napoli striker is optimistic about the team’s chances and is eager to contribute to a victorious campaign.
Osimhen’s Conviction:
Speaking from the team’s camp in Abu Dhabi, where he was honored by his teammates for winning the CAF Player of the Year award, Osimhen expressed his confidence in the squad’s talent and capabilities:
“The most important thing for us now is to go to Ivory Coast and win the tournament; I believe in this group, we have a bunch of talented players to execute the job, fingers crossed, and we are going to do so well.”
Top Scorer Aspirations:
Osimhen’s prolific performance during the qualifying campaign, where he netted ten goals, makes him a key figure for Nigeria. As the tournament approaches, he aims to become the seventh Nigerian star to secure the prestigious title of the highest-scoring player at the AFCON, following in the footsteps of football legends such as Segun Odegbami, Rashidi Yekini, Julius Aghahowa, Austin Okocha, Emmanuel Emenike, and Odion Ighalo.
WHAT NEXT
With Victor Osimhen’s unwavering belief and the collective determination of the Super Eagles, Nigeria enters the 2023 AFCON with high hopes of reclaiming the coveted title.
