Osimhen failed to score for the third consecutive match at the AFCON, as an Ademola Lookman double was all Nigeria needed to send Cameroon out of the competition.
Still, the Napoli striker was the key that unlocked the historic clash against the Indomitable Lions in Nigeria’s favour, especially with his extraordinary assist to the opening goal.
Aside from the assist, Osimhen delivered a complete performance: holding up play brilliantly, pressing the opponent’s centre-backs, and helping his own defence during set-pieces.
For 1994 AFCON-winning star Oliseh, those qualities, as well as Osimhen’s passion and leadership, set the Napoli striker apart as the Super Eagles main man.
“Victor Osimhen! Victor Osimhen!! Extremely impressed not only by his offensive runs, defensive work but even on corner-kicks against, tormenting of the Cameroonian defence, but mostly by his leadership and hunger to win! Bravo to our African Ballon D’or,” Oliseh wrote on Twitter.
Ghana’s all-time highest goalscorer, Gyan, was also pleased with Osimhen’s showing.
Citing Osimhen’s passion on the pitch, Gyan, whose Ghana team failed to make it past the group stage, hinted that any country would be proud to have the Nigerian striker in their squad.
Gyan wrote on X: “Osimhen plays with passion. That’s what every country wants their players to do.”
Nigeria have now defeated Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions at the Round-of-16 stage in two of the last three editions of the AFCON.
With the latest win, Nigeria booked their spot in the quarterfinals of Cote d’Ivoire 2023, where they will trade tackles with Angola.
The Palancras Negras carved out an excellent 3-0 victory over Namibia in their last-16 clash also on Saturday.
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