AFCON

Okocha backs ‘fantastic’ Victor Osimhen to shine vs Cote d’Ivoire

By Asuquo

Posted on January 17, 2024

Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea played out a pulsating 1-1 draw in their opening group A game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)

In an exclusive interview with CAFOnline, Nigerian football legend Austin Okocha has thrown his support behind Napoli forward Victor Osimhen ahead of the highly anticipated second Group A match in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023, scheduled for January 18 between the hosts and the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Okocha, a former captain of the Nigeria national team, acknowledged Osimhen’s brilliance as a footballer and a top-tier goal scorer.

However, he pointed out that there are areas where Osimhen can improve to meet the high expectations set for him at the AFCON. Okocha expressed hope and faith in Osimhen, emphasizing the importance of the team’s support for the striker.

“Victor Osimhen is undoubtedly a fantastic footballer and a top-tier goal scorer. He needs his team’s support, and I think he received it in the opening game,” Okocha stated. “We don’t always witness him passing up obvious chances. We have hope and faith in him because we know he can excel in any competition, and I believe he is willing to make amends for his faults.”

With the upcoming clash between the Elephants and the Super Eagles in the second Group A match, Okocha acknowledged the significance of the game, stating that it is the match everyone is looking forward to in the group stages of the tournament.

Nigerian fans will hope to see the prolific side of Victor Osimhen vs the Ivoriens with the Eagles desperately seeking victory at the Alassana Oauttara Stadium to boost their hopes of reaching the tournaments knockout round.