Victor Osimhen, Nigeria’s forward, expressed his satisfaction after emerging as the standout performer in the thrilling clash against hosts Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday, securing the Super Eagles’ 1-0 triumph.
Osimhen, named Man of the Match, expressed his joy during a post-match press conference, highlighting the importance of defeating the powerful host nation.
Following a poor 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea in their initial encounter of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria shown endurance and commitment by securing a critical victory over tournament hosts Cote d’Ivoire.
The critical moment came in the 55th minute, when Osimhen, dressed in green and white, earned a penalty, which William Troost-Ekong skillfully scored to give the team the lead.
In the post-match press conference, Napoli’s prolific striker, Osimhen, freely showed his joy with the outcome of the game.
“It’s a beautiful victory; we knew we would face a strong Ivorian team,” he said.
Acknowledging the magnitude of the challenge posed by Cote d’Ivoire, Osimhen added,
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“This match was a significant test for us, and we are thrilled to have overcome it.”
Assuring a consistent approach in upcoming matches, Osimhen emphasized adopting the same mentality displayed against the Elephants.
“In the first match, we had numerous chances that we didn’t capitalise on.
“Today wasn’t different; we maintained the same mentality,and we hope this victory brings joy to everyone.
“We will carry this mindset into the remainder of the competition,” he pledged.
Looking ahead, the Nigerian team shifts their focus to the upcomingthird match against Guinea-Bissau scheduled for Monday at the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny in Abidjan.
“We aim for a strong performance against Guinea-Bissau.
“They will undoubtedly approach the game with determination, and we won’t underestimate any team, considering what they’ve done to qualify,” he said.
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