AFCON 2023: Why Ekong took the penalty against Ivory Coast and not Osimhen

In a thrilling Group A match at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria's Super Eagles soared to victory against Ivory Coast courtesy of a goal from the penalty spot. 

Victor Osimhen, the African Footballer of the Year and Nigeria's usual penalty taker, handed over the crucial spot-kick duties to captain William Troost-Ekong, a move that secured their win.

In a surprising turn of events, Napoli's star striker, Osimhen, who was fouled early in the second half, asked Troost-Ekong to take the decisive penalty. This decision came despite Osimhen's status as the team's designated penalty taker and top scorer in Serie A last season.

"Victor is our first choice; he said he wanted me to take it," Troost-Ekong, 30, told BBC Sport Africa. "Of course I couldn't say no. We practice penalties and I took one against Ghana. Maybe it was the moment of the game, [but] I was feeling good. I would also have been happy for him to take it but I'm sure he's going to score many more goals for us."

Osimhen, who scored in Nigeria's opening 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea, displayed a team-first mentality. Despite his disappointment over a social media post by Napoli following a missed penalty earlier in the season, Osimhen stressed the importance of the team's success over individual accolades.

"For me I don't mind. I can take it and if I score or I miss, it is part of the game," Osimhen said. "But of course he took it and he scored it, and it shows great leadership. The team winning is the most important thing."

Troost-Ekong, a former Watford defender, embraced the responsibility, converting the penalty in the 55th minute and securing a 1-0 win for Nigeria. "I enjoy moments like this, I enjoy the big games," he said. "Pressure is for people trying to think how they can feed their family every day - not for us. We play football and we practice for moments like this."