Victor Osimhen, who clinched the Serie A title with Napoli last season and capped off 2023 as the African Footballer of the Year, believes that winning the Cup of Nations with Nigeria could surpass all his previous achievements.
As the Super Eagles gear up to face hosts Ivory Coast in their second group game at the current AFCON edition in Abidjan,
Osimhen expressed, “It would be one of the best moments of my life. I have made history with Napoli, but regardless of my accomplishments, securing the AFCON title would be a significant milestone. No matter how many goals I have scored, winning the AFCON would hold immense importance in my life; perhaps, it could mark the pinnacle of my career. I am genuinely eager to achieve success with the Super Eagles.”
Naturally, Osimhen commands the spotlight within the Nigerian squad, courtesy of his remarkable performances with Napoli, where he netted 26 goals last season, guiding them to their first Scudetto since 1990.
The gaze of Africa’s most populous nation, housing over 220 million people, is fixed on him, yet he remains unwavering in his assurance that he can handle the pressure. Speaking from the Nigerian team hotel with a panoramic view of Abidjan’s Cocody Bay, Osimhen stated, “I have aimed high all my life while growing up, and this pressure comes naturally. I am the kind of person who doesn’t fold under pressure.”
Demonstrating resilience, he emphasized his commitment to giving his best amid mounting pressure, stating, “As the pressure comes, I take it into my head to try to give my best and do well for myself. So far, so good; I have been performing well for my club and country, which I feel is the most important thing.”
Osimhen, who outshone Achraf Hakimi and Mohamed Salah to secure the African Player prize, described winning the African Player of the Year as the dream of every young African player. He expressed, “For me to have won it shows the kind of things I have put in, the hard work, the sweat, the tears. For me, it is really a dream come true,” conveying a relaxed demeanor after concluding an interview with Togo’s 2008 African footballer of the year, Emmanuel Adebayor.
As the agile forward leads a Super Eagles team brimming with attacking prowess, his goal is to guide them to their first AFCON crown since 2013. Achieving this would solidify his status alongside Nigerian legends such as Nwankwo Kanu and Jay-Jay Okocha, the latter part of the team that clinched the 1994 Cup of Nations.
“I used to speak with Nwankwo Kanu and Jay-Jay Okocha. I think I owe a lot of my success to them because they have been sort of an inspiration to me while growing up,” said Osimhen, who declared himself the top scorer at the Under-17 World Cup in 2015, further solidifying his prowess and talent on the global stag
“To be up there in the same category as them — not that I am better than them in terms of football, but in terms of what I have achieved — I think is huge for me.” , he continues
Osimhen is fresh from signing a new contract at Napoli, where he insists he is happy and has “a good relationship” with President Aurelio De Laurentiis.
His previous AFCON experiences have been frustrating, as he hardly featured when Nigeria –- with Odion Ighalo leading the attack — finished third in 2019 and then missed the 2022 edition altogether.
“In 2019 when I came, Ighalo was there. He is a big brother to me, so it was important for me to go through this learning process from him, to get this experience,” Osimhen said.
“I was supposed to be there in Cameroon, but of course, I had my facial injury.
“Now I am here. It is a dream come true for me. I don’t want to put myself in the centre but of course, a lot of people say this. I think I am more of a team player.
“I think we have the quality to make sure we have a very good tournament that we can be proud of.”
Osimhen scored as Nigeria was held by Equatorial Guinea in their opening Group A game, a result that increased the pressure before facing the hosts.
“The first game was really disappointing,” he said.
“Going forward we need to make sure we get it right in the next game, which is against a tougher opponent.”
AFP
