EXCLUSIVE: Ghana’s World Cup hero says Osimhen brings the best out of him 

Ghana’s new World Cup hero, Jerome Opoku, has said that Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen is the toughest player he has faced so far in his career. 

Opoku, who has eight caps for the Black Stars, played a key role in Ghana’s qualification for next year’s World Cup in the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada. 

But while he is still basking in the euphoria of helping Ghana qualify for the World Cup, the 27-year-old has also credited Osimhen for making him a better player. 

Although they have not faced each other at the international level, they have met at the club level. 

Opoku currently plays for İstanbul Başakşehir in the Super Lig, while osimhen plays for Galatasaray, also in the Turkish top flight. 

Having faced each other multiple times this year, the Ghanaian star has seen enough to know that Osimhen is different from all the players he has faced. 

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Pulse Sports Nigeria, the 27-year-old centre back credited Osimhen for bringing out the best in him. 

Opoku revealed that he has to be 100% locked in anytime he comes up against the Nigerian superstar in defence. 

"Osimhen has made me switch on...I need to be 100%. If you give him one yard, he'll be off in behind you, so in terms of testing me and bringing the best out of me, I'd say he's been my toughest opponent,” Opoku told Pulse Sports. 

Opoku has come up against Osimhen three times and has lost all three of his duels against the Nigerian, including two this year. 

Their first meeting happened in January, with Galatasaray winning 2-1 in a Turkish league encounter. 

However, Osimhen did not score in that game, with Burak Yilmaz scoring Gala’s two goals on that day. 

The two players faced off again in May, with Osimhen scoring the second goal in a 2-0 win for the Turkish champions. 

Meanwhile, their last meeting happened last week, as Galatasaray beat their hosts 2-1, courtesy of a brace from Leroy Sane. 

Osimhen came on as a second-half substitute in that game, while Opoku played the full 90 minutes. 

Okpoku will get his chance to get one over Osimhen again when Galatasaray take on Istanbul in March.