Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has backed striker Victor Osimhen to get back to his best following his underwhelming performance in the 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Super Eagles and Los Elefantes shared the spoils in their Group A opener played at Stade Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Sunday. Although Osimhen got Nigeria’s only goal in the game, the Napoli forward missed a plethora of chances including a late big chance after being sent through on goal by Iwobi, only to drag his shot wide when he should be hitting the target at least.
Disappointed with his performance, the current African Footballer of the Year did not respond to questions from the press at the mixed zone after the game.
Iwobi, speaking to ACLSports on Tuesday at the team’s hotel, jumped into the striker’s defence, backing him to come back stronger in the coming games of the Super Eagles.
“[Osimhen] He is a guy who can make something out of nothing as well,” Iwobi began. “There is no question on how chances because he knows himself that he could have scored and some other players could have scored as well.
“For me and what we all see, it is not just the goals he scores, it is the hunger to continue doing so. He is such a passionate player and someone we really look at as inspiration because he is the front man and he is always pressing. So, if he presses, he gives us the liberation to go and press as well. It is not just about the goals alone but the work that comes with it,” the Fulham man concluded.
Osimhen was excused from training on Monday but he is expected to lead the line for Jose Peseiro’s side when they face Cote d’Ivoire in their second game of AFCON 2023 on Thursday evening.
