Izuchukwu OkosiSuper Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, hopes to lead Nigeria to a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title in Cote d’Ivoire and doing so in the home country of his football icon Didier Drogba makes it more interesting.
Osimhen scored Nigeria’s equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday afternoon albeit also missed a few scoring chances.
As the Eagles get set to face the hosts on Thursday at 6 pm Nigerian time, Osimhen spoke to the media during the team’s press conference on Wednesday as he reflects on the team’s readiness to get their first victory in the tournament.
“I feel good. We are in good condition here in Abidjan, the whole team is focused on the mission,” Osimhen stated.
“The Super Eagles have a history closely linked to the AFCON but since 2013, we have been looking for a new coronation, it has been more than a decade, that’s a long time for a football-loving country like Nigeria.
“We are the country of Jay-Jay Okocha, of Nwankwo Kanu, our illustrious elders of whom we are the heirs, we must restore this image so dear to our heart,” the African Footballer of The Year award winner said.
“You know, I come from far away, I made a lot of sacrifices to realize the dream of becoming a professional footballer. I don’t take anything for granted. I always challenge myself on the pitch, score more goals, provide more assists, each time, I challenge myself,” he stated.
“Many people, myself first and foremost, have a lot of hope in our generation. We know what we are capable of, we know what we want. Cote d’Ivoire is a wonderful country, but we are not here for tourism.”
Osimhen now has the trio of Kelechi Iheanacho, Terem Moffi and Paul Onuachu for striking company as the team hopes to go for the kill on Thursday after losing Victor Boniface and Sadiq Umar to injuries following the exclusion of midfielder Wilfred Ndidi from the final 25 man squad based on fitness reasons.
An update from the Super Eagles camp in Abidjan on Wednesday indicates that Royal Antwerp midfielder Alhassan Yusuf who replaced Ndidi in the final squad will miss the game against the Elephants.
Yusuf was stretchered off against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday for what head coach Jose Peseiro called a mere “cramp” but it seems, the injury is worse than first feared.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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