Victor Osimhen, crowned African Footballer of the Year, shoulders even more responsibility for Nigeria in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following Victor Boniface’s withdrawal due to injury. The Super Eagles kick off their AFCON campaign against Equatorial Guinea in Ivory Coast on Sunday, subsequently facing the hosts and Guinea-Bissau in Group A.
Nigeria, eyeing their fourth Cup of Nations title to equal Ghana’s tally, relies heavily on their attacking prowess to make a deep run in the tournament. Osimhen, 25, earned the African player of the year accolade for his stellar performance in Napoli’s Serie A title-winning campaign, scoring 26 goals last season. While his current season has seen a dip in form with eight goals, he remains a key figure after netting 10 times in AFCON qualifying.
This tournament holds significant importance for Osimhen, who played a limited role in Nigeria’s third-place finish in the 2019 AFCON and missed the last edition due to a facial injury and COVID-19. Expressing his aspirations, Osimhen stated, “I want to win the AFCON with my country and write my own legacy. All the greats in Nigeria have a title to their name, and to be mentioned in that space, I must win it too.” The Super Eagles aim to clinch the continental title for the first time since 2013.
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