Jose Peseiro, the coach of the Super Eagles, revealed an intriguing pre-game request concerning star striker Victor Osimhen ahead of Nigeria’s 2-0 victory over Cameroon on Saturday, Okay.ng reports.
Nigeria secured a crucial 2-0 win against Cameroon in their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 clash, with Ademola Lookman netting both goals for the Super Eagles.
Despite not finding the back of the net himself, Victor Osimhen played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s triumph, particularly in setting up Lookman’s opening goal with a well-timed pass.
However, Peseiro disclosed during the post-match press conference that he received a rather unusual suggestion from a lady before the game regarding Osimhen’s role in the match.
Addressing the media, Peseiro recounted the conversation: “One lady asked me yesterday to put Osimhen on the bench if you want to score.”
He continued, emphasizing Osimhen’s immense contribution to the team’s performance: “He didn’t score but had a fantastic game; it’s not easy to stop that guy. Ask the opponents’ defenders what they suffered. He pressured, won the first ball, and created the goal.”
Peseiro praised Osimhen’s versatility, highlighting his ability to contribute both defensively and offensively: “He’s fantastic for our team, which has very good players. We want a striker who can defend and attack, sometimes you need to give him the ball and he’ll win the ball against two or three.”
Despite Osimhen’s goal drought extending to three games at the Africa Cup of Nations, the Super Eagles’ coach emphasized the significance of his overall impact on the team’s gameplay.
Nigeria’s victory over Cameroon secures their spot in the quarter-finals, where they are set to face Angola on February 2, with hopes of advancing further in the tournament.
