Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has revealed that Nigeria’s outing at the recently concluded AFCON was driven by a strong desire to reconnect with fans after the disappointment of failing to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
Osimhen admitted that the players were fully aware of the frustration among supporters and viewed the tournament as a chance to restore belief in the national team.
He expressed satisfaction with the positive reactions and praise the team has received following their impressive performance in Morocco.
“This AFCON was an opportunity for us to win so many of our fans back. We wanted to show them that their support hasn’t gone unnoticed. They are the reason why we fight on the pitch and give everything to bring glory to Nigeria,” Osimhen said.
The Galatasaray forward added that the unity within the squad and the ideas of the coaching crew played a major role in turning things around.
“I am proud of the team and the performance we put in during this tournament. To win our fans back and see amazing comments from people who truly understand football is something we should be proud of. A lot of fans had given up on this team, so to bring smiles back to their faces means a lot to us,” he added.
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Osimhen played a key role in Nigeria’s third-place finish at the tournament. He scored four goals and provided two assists in six appearances, while also making a strong all-round contribution to the team’s play.
Beyond his goals, the 27 year old completed 51 passes, created eight chances, and recorded 14 successful dribbles, combining physical presence, intelligent movement, and creativity to lead the Super Eagles’ attack.
