Victor Osimhen
The Napoli forward smashed home the winning goal to power Nigeria to its first international victory since January
Barcelona Ladies striker Asisat Oshoala has heaped praise on compatriot Victor Osimhen after the Napoli star scored the winning goal in Super Eagles’ 2-1 triumph over Sierra Leone in Abuja yesterday, Thursday.
The Leone Stars drew first blood against the three-time African champions through Jonathan Morsay’s finely executed flying header after just 11 minutes inside the closed doors of the MKO Abiola Stadium.
But Everton winger Alex Iwobi dragged Nigeria back on levelled terms after pouncing on Moses Simon’s intelligent pounce five minutes later.
And four minutes before the halftime break, Osimhen crashed in his first Super Eagles goal of the year – a pure, predatory strike – to give the home side the lead.
Nantes Simon headed back a well-floated Ola Aina cross into the danger area, and Osimhen reacted the quickest to smash past the hapless Sierra Leone goalkeeper.
The manner of the goal impressed Asisat Oshoala, and the Barcelona ace took to her Instagram page to hail the Napoli forward as the best.
“Best in scoring goals, Victor Osimhen,” Asisat Oshoala wrote.
The goal was the 23-year-old’s 11th senior strike for Nigeria, taking him above Victor Moses and Osaze Odemwingie on Nigeria’s all-time highest goalscorer chart.
The goal proved to be the last goal of the encounter in Abuja, sealing a first win for new Super Eagles Technical Adviser Jose Peseiro.
Despite the win, Nigeria take only the second spot behind Guinea-Bissau in Group A of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Guinea-Bissau secured the top spot on matchday one after trashing Sao Tome and Principe 5-1 in the other group encounter.
This post was last modified on June 10, 2022 7:03 am
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