Osimhen salvaged a 1-1 draw in the match against Equatorial Guinea with a scuffled header from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The Napoli man could have scored a brace or a hat trick if he was clinical in front of goal, but it did not happen. The gaffer, Jose Peseiro, said, “He was disappointed with the result but God gives, God takes.”
The result has worked up the team and the fans, and there is an agitation among Nigerians that the Super Eagles can not “Do It Again.”
Tomorrow, the Super Eagles take on the host, Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire, on match day 2 of the tournament. This match will determine the fate of “Let’s Do It Again.” A loss on the night means the Super Eagles have a slim chance to do it again.
At the press conference ahead of the West African derby, Jose Peseiro gave updates on a lot of issues surrounding the team, especially the Sadiq Umar injury saga.
Umar’s Situation is Confusing.
When the question, “Can you clear the situation on Sadiq Umar” was asked, it was one of the questions that was top of the list for most Nigerian journalists in Cote d’Ivoire.
Jose Peseiro’s response, “I’m confused” got everyone laughing. But the Portuguese continued by saying, “I don’t know what to say, because the doctors didn’t give a date for recovery; one week, 15 days, they could not.”
“the club (Real Sociedad) insisted he come to the club for assessment. We had a meeting with the medical staff and the player and we decided to replace him. He wanted to stay.”
“I’m happy he recovered well but sad he is not with us.”
On Twitter, there had been lots of controversies on the injury of Umar; even the NFF had to put out a statement on the issue.
Alhassan Yusuf is a big miss
After a very inspiring debut for the Super Eagles against Equatorial Guinea, every Nigerian football fan praised the Belgium-based midfielder. His work rate was phenomenal, and he brought reassurance that Wilfred Nididi could be replaced in the midfield.
But sadly, despite such an applaudable performance, Yusuf will not be available for the Cote d’Ivoire clash.
Yusuf was stretched off in the latter stages of the Equatorial Guinea match.
After he had confirmed that it was just “cramps” post-match of that tie, Jose Peseiro confirmed that he would be “missing from the tie against the Elephants.”
It is his left to see who will be thrown into the pictures by Peseiro.
By default, it should be Raphael Onyedika, who is also Belgium-based, but the midfielder has not got the starting grace under Peseiro.
AFCON 2023 Let’s Do It Again: CoteD’Ivoire v Nigeria
This tie is a West African derby that has lots at stake.
Furthermore, both countries have clashed Seven times, a few times in the Africa Cup of Nations.
The most recent meetings – in friendly matches saw both teams claim wins. In the AFCON, Nigeria had the last win – a 2-1 win in the 2013 AFCON in South Africa against all odds.
Meanwhile, ten years later, the odds of the events are against Nigeria again. The injury worries, loss of form, and lack of confidence in the squad are a replica of 2013.
However, the hunger for a win is piling pressure on the Eagles, and that might prove vital on the night.
It’s a 6 pm Nigerian-time kick-off at the Stade Alassanne Outtara in Ebimpe, and the Super Eagles need to soar.