The Super Eagles recorded their most impressive victory in Cote d'Ivoire to send 200 million Nigerians into celebration
Victor Osimhen was the difference maker as Nigeria carved out a thrilling 2-0 victory over Cameroon to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports.
Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman scored both goals for Nigeria – his first at the AFCON – to lift the former champions to their 13th win over Cameroon across all competitions.
Despite not scoring, Osimhen was the architect of the win, with the Napoli man showing why he is the reigning African Footballer of the Year.
Nigeria's crucial opening goal was all the doing of the Napoli striker.
Cameroon had kept the Super Eagles at bay for the first half-hour of the encounter and were looking to keep the scores level at halftime.
Osimhen, though, had other ideas, and in the 36th minute, he chased down a Cameroonian defender, stole the ball from him, stayed on his feet when it looked easier to dive and laid the assist on a plate for Lookman to stab home past goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa.
Lookman completed his brace in the 90th minute to cap his best performance in the famous green-and-white kit.
Osimhen, though, was the man receiving a large chunk of the applause after the encounter.
The duo of Victor Boniface and Emmanuel Dennis took to their social media accounts to show their admiration for the Napoli forward.
Acknowledging that Osimhen is extraordinary, Dennis wrote on X:” Osimhen is a cheat code.”
Boniface, also on X, saluted Osimhen and wrote: “Respect brother, Osimhen.”
Yes o. We follow believe him government pieces!
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) January 27, 2024
#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 https://t.co/90YWDI8nX7
In response to Boniface's post, CAF's official X account said of Osimhen: “Yes o. We follow believe his government pieces!”
Once the celebrations over the defeat of Cameroon wear out, Osimhen and the Super Eagles will turn their attention to Nigeria's quarterfinal clash against Angola.
