Jose Peseiro, head coach of the Super Eagles, has stated that Victor Osimhen, a striker for Napoli, will be crucial to the team’s success at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Osimhen led all scorers on the African continent with 15 goals in the qualifying series.
In spite of missing the 2021 AFCON owing to injury, the 24-year-old will almost certainly be among Peseiro’s starting lineup choices in Ivory Coast.
His significance to the Nigerian national team has been reinforced by Peseiro, who has now praised him as the leader without an armband.
Peseiro told La Gazzetta dello Sport, “It’s fundamental, there’s no point in hiding,” when asked if Osimhen will decide the Eagles’ fate at the 2023 AFCON.
Victor, well, Victor is Victor. The squad is solid. I saw him relaxed and rejuvenated before our match against Real Madrid when we met at the Bernabeu and had a discussion in the hotel. I informed him that in Ivory Coast, he will serve as our representative.
A relentless worker and a leader without a uniform, he never rests on his laurels. I have no doubt that he will succeed as Nigeria’s captain.