Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, recently crowned the CAF African Footballer of The Year, is set to fuel his and his teammates’ motivation as they gear up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, MySportDab Reports.
Osimhen’s stellar performances throughout the year, outshining competitors Achraf Hakimi and Mohamed Salah, have positioned him as a key figure for Nigeria.
Expressing readiness and high spirits within the squad, Osimhen conveyed, “We are ready and preparing very well. We are raring to go and hope that we shall do well there.”
The anticipation is palpable as Nigeria aims for AFCON glory, having secured the title three times in 1980, 1994, and 2013.
The Super Eagles find themselves in Group A alongside hosts Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea Bissau. Osimhen, optimistic about their chances, is eager to replicate his outstanding form next year.
His goal-scoring prowess, evident with 27 goals for Napoli this year, ties him with Egyptian Mohamed Salah as the joint-top scorer in the big five European leagues.
In a historic moment in May 2023, Osimhen etched his name in Serie A history, surpassing George Weah’s record by scoring his 47th goal in the competition, making him the highest-scoring African player in Serie A.
The striker’s remarkable achievements extend to the AFCON 2023 qualifiers, where he claimed the title of the highest goal-scorer with an impressive tally of 10 goals.
Osimhen’s dual triumph of the CAF award and Serie A goal-scoring record adds a layer of excitement to Nigeria’s AFCON campaign, as the team, fueled by their star striker’s success, seeks to make a significant impact on the continental stage.