Former Super Eagles defender Ifeanyi Udeze has expressed strong confidence that Victor Osimhen will soon put his Africa Cup of Nations goal struggles behind him, predicting the striker will open his account when Nigeria take on Tunisia this Saturday.
Osimhen failed to get on the scoresheet in Nigeria’s opening victory over Tanzania, despite finding himself in several promising positions. The missed chances added to an ongoing narrative around his AFCON record, where he has managed just one goal in nine appearances across three tournament editions. While the statistic has drawn attention, it has not fully reflected his overall contribution to Nigeria’s attacking play.
Udeze believes the concerns surrounding Osimhen’s finishing at the tournament are overblown. According to the former defender, the Napoli forward’s quality and consistency at club and international level are clear indicators that goals are only a matter of time. Osimhen has been in fine form away from AFCON, scoring 12 goals for Galatasaray this season and adding eight more for Nigeria in 2025.
Speaking to Footy-Africa, Udeze urged patience and calm. “He didn’t score against Tanzania, but that doesn’t worry me,” he said. “Once he relaxes and stays focused, the goals will come. Osimhen is a top striker and a natural finisher.”
Udeze also pointed to Osimhen’s reaction after the Tanzania match as proof of his winning mentality. The striker’s visible frustration, he explained, showed how much he demands from himself. “He was clearly upset that he didn’t score, and that’s a good sign,” Udeze added. “Hopefully he finds the net against Tunisia and that opens the floodgates.”
Nigeria and Tunisia will face off in a crucial Group encounter at the 40,000-capacity Fez Stadium. Both teams started their AFCON campaigns with wins, with Tunisia narrowly defeating Uganda. Another victory for either side would guarantee early qualification for the round of 16, adding extra significance to the clash—and another opportunity for Osimhen to finally make his mark at the tournament.
0 Comments