Former Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has hailed Napoli striker Victor Osimhen for his impact in Nigeria’s second-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports.
Victor Osimhen went to the AFCON in January as Africa’s most celebrated superstar after winning the Africa Player of the Year in December.
However, the 25-year-old forward, who was the top goalscorer with ten goals during the qualifiers, had a poor goal return at the tournament proper, managing just one goal.
Osimhen’s only goal came in Nigeria’s 1-1 opening-day draw against Equatorial Guinea.
Despite not finding his range, however, the Nigerian forward’s impact was felt throughout the tournament.
Osimhen won the penalty that gave Nigeria a 1-0 group stage win over hosts Cote d’Ivoire; forced an own goal in the victory over Guinea-Bissau; laid the assist to the opening goal in the 2-0 knock-out win over Cameroon; and won a penalty in the semifinals triumph over South Africa.
More than Osimhen’s lack of goals, Peseiro praised the striker’s contribution to Nigeria’s positive outing, emphasised by his desire to place team glory over individual ambitions.
“Victor is a formidable footballer,” Peseiro told SportItalia.
“Even though he only scored one goal, he was very important to the success the Super Eagles had in the Africa Cup of Nations.
“A true team player who fought until the last minute in search of victory.”
Osimhen signed a contract with Napoli, extending his deal with the Italian champions.
However, he is expected to be at the centre of a transfer tussle among some of Europe’s wealthiest clubs in the summer.
French champions Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly made the Super Eagles striker their number-one transfer target and their potential marquee signing after the departure of Kylian Mbappe.
Premier League giants Chelsea and Arsenal are also interested in signing Osimhen this summer.
Peseiro is convinced that more clubs will try to get the Nigeria international, but the Portuguese tactician insists the final decision lies with Osimhen and Napoli.
“I think he will have several clubs interested at the end of the season, and only he and his club will be able to decide his future,” Peseiro added.
Peseiro left his role as Super Eagles head coach at the end of the 2023 AFCON.
