Striker Victor Osimhen has sent a bold message to Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations rivals, saying the Super Eagles can ‘trample on any team’ in their quest to end the country’s 13-year wait for continental glory.
Nigeria’s commanding 3-1 victory over Uganda on Tuesday, with a largely second string line-up, sealed a perfect record of three wins from three group stage matches, only the fourth time Nigeria would reach that landmark in 20 Afcon participations.
That group phase performance, which also included wins over Tunisia and Tanzania, also firmly established the Super Eagles’ credentials as one of the tournament’s most dangerous sides, according to the Galatasaray forward.
“Yes, I would count my country as one of the favourites,” Osimhen said in the post-match interview, declaring that the Super Eagles are ready to face any team in the knockout stage. They will face Mozambique in the round of 16 on Jan. 5.
“We are one of the most feared teams in this tournament. Any team can come and play us. If they are good, they can scale through, but if they are not we can trample on any team because this team has got the quality to do damage to any big team, any good team in this tournament,” he added.
Despite his fighting talk, Osimhen’s confidence was tempered by respect for the rest of the field and an acknowledgement that the Super Eagles would have to stay grounded to progress at every stage.
Osimhen continued: “We respect every team that progresses to the next round and any one we meet in the next round they are going to see the fighting spirit of Nigeria.
“The round of 16 is going to be even tougher than the group stages so the boys are ready to give everything. But the team is ready to face any opponent. We respect any team that scales through but we are not scared of anybody.”
It has been nearly 13 years since the three-time champions lifted the trophy.
They came mighty close last time out, losing to hosts Ivory Coast in the 2023 final, and Osimhen made clear what ending that drought would mean.
“It will mean a lot, not just to me, to the whole team, but to Nigeria,” he said. “It has been a long time since this trophy came to Nigeria and the boys, every training, we are passing a clear message that we came here to get the trophy.
“I want it as bad as every other country that came to win it. Just like the rest of my teammates, that is why we come together to try to make sure that we achieve this objective.”
ESPN
