By Daniel Edu
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has indicated that guiding Nigeria to victory in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) would be a defining moment in his career and could possibly mark the end of his international journey.
Osimhen, who achieved success with Napoli by helping them secure their first Scudetto in 33 years with 26 goals in the previous season, is a pivotal figure in the Super Eagles’ 2023 AFCON squad.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Nigeria’s second group stage game against Ivory Coast, Osimhen expressed his eagerness to win a title with the Super Eagles, stating, “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 would go a long way in my life but probably when I do that I am done.”
The 25-year-old striker, who won the CAF Player of the Year and finished 8th in the 2023 Ballon d’Or, emphasized his desire to contribute to the team’s success. Reflecting on his previous AFCON experience in 2019 and missing the 2021 edition due to injury, Osimhen expressed gratitude for learning from senior players and is now focused on making a significant impact in the tournament.
Osimhen played the full 90 minutes in Nigeria’s opening game, which ended in a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea. Despite scoring the team’s equalizer, he acknowledged the need for improvement in the upcoming matches.
