January 16, (THEWILL) – Victor Osimhen entered 2024 on a high after a stellar 2023, which saw him win the Serie A title with Napoli and be named African Footballer of the Year. However, the 25-year-old Nigerian striker believes leading his country to African Cup of Nations glory would top it all.
“It would be one of the best moments of my life,” Osimhen declared from Nigeria’s training base in Abidjan ahead of their second AFCON group match versus Ivory Coast. “I have made history with Napoli but to win the AFCON would go a long way in my life – probably when I do that I am done.”
Osimhen is the Super Eagles’ talisman, having scored 26 goals last season for Napoli as they claimed their first Scudetto since 1990. As Africa’s most populous nation pins its hopes on him, Osimhen insists he can handle the pressure. “I have aimed high all my life and this pressure comes naturally,” he stated.
The lithe forward leads a talented Nigerian attack as he aims to emulate greats like Nwankwo Kanu and Jay-Jay Okocha in bringing AFCON glory back since 2013. Osimhen announced himself by topping the scoring charts at the 2015 Under-17 World Cup. Now, he hopes for better fortunes than his last two AFCONs, having barely featured in 2019 and missed out injured in 2023.
“It is a dream come true to be here now,” Osimhen reflected. “I think we have the quality for a very good tournament we can be proud of.” After an opening draw with Equatorial Guinea, the pressure is on to beat Ivory Coast next. But Osimhen is ready: “I don’t fold under pressure.”
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
