- Victor Osimhen expressed pride in Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Ivory Coast, emphasizing the team’s execution of a strategic game plan
- Osimhen highlighted the significance of the win, positioning Nigeria favorably in Group A for AFCON progression, and stressed the need for continued momentum
Victor Osimhen, the shining star of Nigeria, proudly declared that his team has made a resounding statement by securing a 1-0 victory over the host nation Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday. The win positions Nigeria favourably for a spot in the last 16.
Reflecting on the challenging match, Osimhen expressed, “It feels good. It’s not an easy game, of course. We knew the Ivorians would come strong against us.” The decisive moment came in the 55th minute when captain William Troost-Ekong converted a penalty at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium in Abidjan.
“We came with a game plan and executed it. I am happy about this win. It’s a big win for us, and we keep building on this momentum,” Osimhen added.
In their tournament opener, Nigeria faced a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea, with Osimhen finding the net. The current standings place them tied with Equatorial Guinea at the top of Group A, who secured a 4-2 victory against Guinea-Bissau on the same day.
The Super Eagles are now poised for their final group-stage match against Guinea-Bissau. Considering Equatorial Guinea’s result, a draw in this encounter will secure their progression as one of the top two teams. Four of the best third-placed teams will also advance to the last 16.
Osimhen emphasized the significance of the victory against Ivory Coast, stating, “This game was a big statement for us. We needed to win and make a statement in a competition like AFCON.”
The decisive penalty, awarded after Osimhen was brought down in the box by Ousmane Diomande, underscored Nigeria’s determination. Osimhen commented on the strategy: “We waited for them in the midfield, waiting for them to make mistakes, but I am really happy about this win, and we will keep on going from here.”
Addressing the coach’s decision to assign Troost-Ekong the penalty-taking responsibility, Osimhen expressed, “I really didn’t mind.” Looking ahead, Nigeria is set to face Guinea-Bissau on Monday, fully aware of the threat posed by a team that defeated them in qualifying last March.
“We know them. We played them in qualifying, and we know how dangerous they can be. We can never take any game lightly,” Osimhen concluded with confidence. The Super Eagles are geared up to maintain their momentum and secure a strong position in the AFCON tournament.