Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen, has sent a message that is likely to give nightmares to players and coaches of the Guinea-Bissau national team ahead of the two-legged 2023 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Osimhen, who has been in great scoring form this season for Italian Serie A tabletoppers, Napoli, arrived at the Super Eagles’ camp in Abuja on Tuesday after putting pen to paper as a brand ambassador for Dettol.
In an interview with the NFF media on Wednesday, the Italian league’s leading scorer, with 21 goals so far, promised to contribute goals and assists in both legs of the clashes against Guinea Bissau.
That is starting with the home tie at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Friday before the return leg against the Djurtus at the Nacional 24 de Setembro Stadium on March 27.
The 24-year-old, who missed Nigeria’s defeats to Algeria and Portugal in the last international window due to injury said he is looking forward to the games and expressed delight to be back with the Eagles.
He stressed that the Eagles will not underrate their opponents in any way. “We are looking forward to it and I am extremely happy to be back with the squad, it’s an amazing feeling and I’m expecting amazing results in the two legs against Guinea Bissau.
“We don’t underrate our opponents and we would give them the respect they deserve also. The boys are ready, we are ready to give our all come Friday and the second leg in Guinea-Bissau.
“Just like I said earlier, I’m really looking forward to the games and contributing to the team”, he said. “First of all, I want to promise them (Nigerians) that we will try everything possible to get a win.
“And I would also like to contribute with a lot of goals and a couple of assists, but of course, the team comes first, however, I want to assure them that they will be entertained and happy by getting a win and also by getting the qualification to the next AFCON.
The former U-17 World Cup winner has scored five goals in two 2023 AFCON qualifiers so far, and he is in the running to emerge as the top-scorer in the qualification series on the continent.
However, Osimhen said he is not focused on the individual accolade, but for Nigeria to secure passage to the AFCON finals. “I really don’t care about becoming the highest goal scorer in the qualification series.
“The team comes first just like I said earlier. But if my goals come and I become the highest goal-scorer, it would be an amazing feeling for me, but the team comes first and I want what is best for the team and I want to win a lot of games.”
Nigeria recorded a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau at the 2021 AFCON without Osimhen who was nursing a nasty cheekbone fracture at the time and missed the tournament in Cameroon.
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