Osimhen: Pair me with anyone, in any forward position; I just want to play
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Victor Osimhen in a training session (Credit: IMAGO/Shengolpix)

Osimhen: Pair me with anyone, in any forward position; I just want to play

Solace Chukwu 06:22 - 09.09.2023

Ahead of Nigeria's meeting with Sao Tome on Sunday, the Napoli striker is as hungry as ever, and is willing to play anywhere and with anyone to make the point

Victor Osimhen has declared himself willing and ready to play anywhere and in any system for Nigeria’s benefit.

The Nigeria international is expected to take the field for the Super Eagles in this weekend’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Sao Tome & Principe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. He however told Pulse Sports, in an exclusive chat, that he is amenable to any decisions made by the coaching crew on the composition of the forward line.

Nigeria boasts one of the most stacked attacking departments in world football, able to name a strong forward squadron of five despite leaving out the likes of Terem Moffi, Sadiq Umar, Akor Adams, Cyriel Dessers and Chuba Akpom. Naturally, the subject of how best to maximise this embarrassment of riches is front and centre in the minds of Super Eagles supporters the world over.

Osimhen, who over the course of his international career has played as a lone centre-forward, as well as alongside Moffi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Odion Ighalo, to name a few, said he has no preferences, and is willing to adapt to increase Nigeria’s firepower upfront.

Super Eagles strikers Victor Osimhen and Terem Moffi
In the reverse 10-0 win over Sao Tome, Victor Osimhen was partnered upfront by Terem Moffi (Credit: Google Images)

“For me, I don’t mind who I pair with because we’ve got amazing strikers: (Taiwo) Awoniyi is there, (Victor) Boniface is there, (Gift) Orban also, (Kelechi) Iheanacho is there also. So, whosoever the coach decides to pair with me or to play with any striker, I'm cool with it. For me, the team is the most important thing, before any individual player.

“I can play 4-4-2, I can play any position. For me, as long as it’s a forward [role], I can pair with anyone. So we are really looking forward to it.”

Nigeria have already qualified for next year’s AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, but would secure top spot in the group with victory over Sao Tome on Sunday, September 10. In the reverse fixture, Nigeria ran out 10-0 winners, creating a national record for largest margin of victory. It will be recalled that Osimhen scored four times in that meeting in Agadir.

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