No one can forbid Victor Osimhen to dream big. Africa’s player of the year and Serie A’s best striker in 2023 had a fantastic season, while his national team didn’t. As always, the Super Eagles are among favorites for AFCON and World Cup 2026, and as always, they fail when the time comes to deliver. Nigeria boasts with probably the best striking force in the world, not just in Africa, and yet their last AFCON came in 2013, while so far, they only had two draws in the World Cup qualifiers. And in the first round of the tournament played in Ivory Coast, the Super Eagles continued their winless streak and drew with Equatorial Guinea (1-1).John Obi Mikel: “We [Chelsea] need a striker, a point-man who scores goals. I know people are talking about Osimhen. He is not the most technical guy but what he does is get you goals and that’s what we need.The good thing about him is that he knows what his job is. His job is… pic.twitter.com/eUHoOVBfju— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) January 16, 2024 Osmihen was the only scorer and Napoli’s striker is still full of confidence and dreams of winning AFCON.”It would be one of the best moments of my life. I have done that with Napoli, I have made history, but no matter what I do, no matter how many goals I have scored, to be able to win the AFCON, I would go a long way in my life but probably when I do that I am done. I am really looking forward to winning something with the Super Eagles” the 25-year-old told AFP in Abidjan, where the Super Eagles are preparing to face hosts Ivory Coast in their second group game on Thursday.😥 Victor Osimhen says he will be wearing face mask for the rest of his football career.🎙️” I have to wear the mask for the rest of my football career, l still have screws in my jaw and face”. Osimhen disclosed this during a chat with Brila FM. #AFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/R0hL4B0mEx— Leagues Reporter (@LeaguesReporter) January 16, 2024 So far, Osimhen’s experience at the most important African tournament was frustrating. First he hardly played at all when Nigeria was third (2019) and then the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2022 edition.”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. 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 like a team player. I think we have the quality to make sure we have a very good tournament that we can be proud of” said Osimhen.AFCON 2023: Osimhen strikes first AFCON goal but not enough to beat Equatorial GuineaOff course, he and his teammates in particular have to play much, much better than they are playing at the moment, if they are to finally win the tournament like their predecessors, who won it in 2013, and Osimhen looked at players from that team for inspiration.”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. 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” said the striker.Osimhen believes AFCON title would redeem Super Eagles for the World Cup failureAs the best player in Nigeria squad, all eyes are on Osimhen, but he is totally poised.”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. 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 doing well for my club and country, which I feel like is the most important thing. To win the African player of the year is just the dream of every young African player. 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” admitted Osimhen.AFCON 2023- GROUP STAGETuesday Burkina Faso – Mauritania 1-0 (0-0)/Traore 90+5/Tunisia – Namibia 0-023.00: (2.15) Mali (3.25) S.Africa (3.90)Wednesday 20.00: (1.30) Morocco (5.80) Tanzania (12.0)23.00: (2.40) Dr Congo (3.20) Zambia (3.40)***odds are subject to change***
