Analysis
CAN 2024: why Victor Osimhen is essential in Nigeria even when he does not score
Lacking success since the start of this CAN where he only scored one goal, the Nigerian striker nevertheless delivered a high-level match in the round of 16 against Cameroon (2-0). And even if he does not score, his activity on the attacking front makes him essential to the Super Eagles, who face Angola in the quarterfinals this Friday, February 2 in Abidjan.
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen celebrates the opening score of his teammate Ademola Lookman to whom he has just sent the decisive pass against Cameroon on January 27, 2024 in Abidjan. AFP - FRANCK FIFE
By: Pierre Fesnien Follow
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From our special correspondent in Abidjan,
From a purely statistical point of view, it is difficult to say that Victor Osimhen is having
a great CAN
. With just one goal scored, the first of his career in an African Cup of Nations, to equalize against Equatorial Guinea in Nigeria's first match, the Super Eagles striker is far from first place in the African Cup rankings. scorers, currently still occupied
by Emilio Nsue
with five goals.
Also read: The rankings, results and calendar for CAN 2024
In need of success in front of goal, Osimhen nevertheless remains an indisputable starter at the forefront of the Nigerian attack. And if he once again remained silent in the round of 16 against Cameroon, his contribution was such that there is no question for the coach of the Super Eagles of doing without him.
“
He didn't score but he had a fantastic match,”
explained José Peseiro after qualifying against Cameroon.
A journalist asked me yesterday at a press conference if I shouldn't put Osimhen on the bench. Go ask our opponents this evening how much they suffered against Victor... He created the scoring opportunity all by himself! The defender had the ball, he put pressure on him and he stole the ball from him.
»
“
Stats don’t tell everything
”
If he did not score, the best African player of 2023 indeed proved valuable for his team against the defense of the Indomitable Lions, forced to watch like milk on fire an attacker on the lookout for the slightest error from his opponents, as was the case on the first goal where he managed to steal the ball from Alexander Wooh before passing on
an assist to Ademola Lookman.
Despite his lack of success in front of goal, Victor Osimhen's match against Cameroon in any case revealed the importance of the player for his team. “
The stats don't tell everything, they don't give a player's influence on the match,”
analyzes former Cameroonian goalkeeper Joseph-Antoine Bell, now a consultant for RFI.
Osimhen may not score, but he has reversed the balance of power! Instead of having the defenders on their backs, it's the defenders who have it on their backs. With Victor Osimhen, the entire defense is not breathing, so it inevitably creates nervous tension for the defenders, a physical challenge for him and it frees up space for his partners.
»
“
He doesn’t play for himself but for the team
”
Osimhen's presence is all the more important as defensive work does not scare him. “
He’s a center forward who doesn’t play for himself but for the team, and that’s rare,”
believes Joseph-Antoine Bell.
Osimhen does not hesitate to defend, you would almost take him for a defender or a defensive midfielder because he gives so much of himself. And what's more, he defends well!
»
Also read: Victor Osimhen: “I wanted to meet Didier Drogba since I was a child”
However, it would be very imprudent to limit the player to his defensive slaughter and his pressing on defenders, because Victor Osimhen can do almost everything. “
He’s a pure striker who has all the qualities. You give him the slightest space, he is capable of scoring. He knows how to keep the ball, he knows how to call from deep,
lists former Lens striker Roger Boli.
He has Eto'o in percussion, speed of execution and sense of goal, but he also has the athletic power of Didier Drogba.
»
The year or never?
Whether or not he is a scorer in the next decisive match against
Angola
for a place in the semi-final this Friday at the Félix Houphoüet-Boigny stadium in Abidjan, the Nigerian striker in any case seems on a mission for his team. His history with the CAN has often been thwarted, he only played 45 minutes in 2019 and had to withdraw from 2022 in Cameroon. This may be the year or never for the Napoli striker. “
No matter how many goals I score, if I win the CAN, I will have come a long way in my life, and when I have done that, I will have achieved everything
,” declared the player to the 21 goals in 31 selections to the AFP a few days ago.
A boy on a mission for his country, the emotion of Victor Osimhen after the victory against Cameroon! 💚🇳🇬pic.twitter.com/AYS1jxpXC2
— Naija Football 🇳🇬 (@NaijaFootball_) February 1, 2024
Read alsoCAN 2024: Signori Antonio, from the Swiss third division to a quarter-final with Angola
Especially since an attacker like Osimhen never stays silent for very long. His counter could very well be unlocked against Angola. As for the Palancas Negras, we do not take the attacker lightly in any case. “
It weighs on a defense. You have to be vigilant not to make a mistake because he is on every ball,
central defender Jonathan Buatu explained to RFI.
He's really hungry, so we'll make sure we don't give him anything to eat.
» We wish them all the harm, but the challenge is already looking very tough for the Angolan defenders.
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