Victor Osimhen of Nigeria is optimistic that the Super Eagles, playing in the home country of Didier Drogba, his childhood hero, Ivory Coast, will win.
Osimhen scored for the Super Eagles in a 1-1 tie with Equatorial Guinea to open their Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
Nigeria takes against the hosts on Thursday, who lead Group A with three points following their 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau.
Nigeria has had difficulty making an impression since they defeated Burkina Faso in the 2013 Afcon final, when they last won the trophy.
One of the world-class players on Jose Peseiro’s squad who has been selected as a favorite for this tournament is Osimhen.
The Napoli striker talked about how he loved the Elephants legend when he was growing up in Nigeria and how he feels honored to play on the ground where his idol, Didier Drogba, was born.
“The Super Eagles have a history closely linked to the Afcon but since 2013, we have been looking for a new coronation, it’s been more than a decade, that’s a long time for a football-loving country like Nigeria,” Osimhen told the club’s press corps.
“We have a responsibility to reestablish this deeply held image because we are the descendants of the distinguished elders Jay-Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu, of whom we are the country.
“Life is unexpected; in my younger years, I never missed a Didier Drogba game.” I mimicked all of his actions, even his joy after defeating my friends,” he went on.
It is an honor for me to take part in Afcon in my idol’s home country. I feel like I’m reconnected in some way to the Olusosun kid I used to be, a youngster with many ambitions, one of which was to win an Africa championship.”
Osimhen was not at his best against Equatorial Guinea, wasting opportunities that may have won the game for the Super Eagles despite scoring.
In order to silence the home crowd and advance the Super Eagles to the Round of 16, the 25-year-old will need to be more clinical on Thursday.