I defended against Lewandowski and Haaland – Ex-Hertha Berlin ace says Osimhen is world’s best

The Napoli striker has been a consistent performer for club and country over the last couple of years

KAA Gent defender Jordan Torunarigha has hailed Napoli striker Victor Osimhen as the best striker in the game at the moment, Soccernet.ng reports.

Torunarigha and Osimhen have enjoyed the pleasure of training together for the first time in their career as the Super Eagles prepare to face Sao Tome and Principe. 

While Osimhen has been a member of the Nigerian senior national team since making his debut in 2017, Torunarigha only earned his first Super Eagles call-up this month.

After committing his international future to Nigeria, Torunarigha arrived in Uyo on Wednesday, joining 22 other invitees ahead of the last Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe.

The last three days have afforded the former German youth international the chance to get closer to the other Super Eagles stars on and off the training pitch.

One player Torunarigha has had to face in training is Osimhen, Serie A's most valuable player.

Before moving to Gent last year, Torunarigha was at Hertha Berlin for 16 years. During that time, he faced some of the best talents in football, including Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland, formerly of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, respectively.

And the 26-year-old defender is convinced that Osimhen is a tougher customer than Lewandowski and Haaland.

“Osimhen is the best striker in the world right now. One of the best strikers in the world,” Torunarigha said, as per Toyosi Afolayan (via Tobi Adepoju).

“And to be honest, I’ve never had something like this. I don’t know how to defend him. It’s weird.

“I played against Lewandowski and Haaland, and I figured out how to defend them. But for him, I don’t know. He’s strong, but he can keep the ball. It’s difficult, but I will find out.”

Osimhen has 17 goals in 25 appearances for three-time African champions, Nigeria.

Seven of those goals have come during the 2023 AFCON qualifying campaign, which places him atop the competition's goals chart.