Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has expressed gratitude to his teammates for motivating him after his profligate finishing in the first 90 minutes of Nigeria’s 4-1 win over Gabon on Thursday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Osimhen was expected to be the x-factor for Nigeria when they faced Gabon at the Prince Moulay Hassan Staidum in the semifinal of the CAF World Cup playoffs on Thursday. And as expected, he looked fiery and up to the task from the blast of the whistle.
The Galatasaray man even got some half chances in the first half which he failed to convert. However, it was in the second half that he got the better chances.
After missing a sitter midway into the second half, Akor Adams saved his blushes, as he scored the opener for Nigeria.
Unfortunately for the Super Eagles, they could not hold on to their lead, as Mario Lemina scored the equalizer in stoppage time.
Osimhen had a big chance to score in the last minute of the game, after he collected a pass from Chidera Ejuke and ran through to goal. But he fluffed his lines and sent his shot wide.
The distraught on his face after missing that chance was evident, as most of his teammates would have expected him to convert from that range.
However, the Galatasaray superstar bounced back in extra-time with two goals to help the Super Eagles claim a 4-1 win.
What Victor Osimhen Said About His Super Eagles Teammates
After the game, Victor Osimhen expressed his gratitude to his teammates for motivating him, as that was key to him scoring a brace.
“When I missed the chance before full time, I asked my teammates if we were going to extra time or penalties, and they told me it was extra time, then I apologized and told them I was going to correct it,” Osimhen told Pooja Media.
“It’s important to have teammates that motivate you just as you motivate others when they are down. They did everything to make sure they brought me up, so kudos to them, and to the whole team.”
Next up for the Super Eagles is a game against DR Congo on Sunday. A win would guarantee them a spot in the Intercontinental World Cup playoffs in March next year.
Unlike Gabon, the Leopard are a very solid side with some decent players. So Nigeria might nor dominate the game the same way they dominated Gabon. As such, Osimhen will have to be at his best and take even the half chances.