SSC Napoli of Italy striker, Victor Osimhen has sent pout a passionate appeal to Nigerian football fans to ensure they support the Super Eagles with cheers and prayers from their respective homes during Friday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone.
Megasportsarenna.com reports that, with coronavirus pandemic restrictions having necessitated the match being played behind closed doors, Osimhen admitted it would be queer playing inside an empty stadium, but conceded that everyone just has to accept the development the way it has come.
He went on to declare that all football lovers should not be discouraged by the situation, and promised that all the Eagles’ layers will give their very best to make Nigerians proud, even as they line out in front of the empty stands at Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin City.
he further pointed out that he would love to score in the game, but quickly interjected that getting victory for the team through whatever means possible is the ultimate for all the players, not who scores the goals.
Osimhen, who faced flight hitches and had to get another ticket through Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) before he could finally arrive at the national team’s camp in Benin City on Wednesday, enthused that he is expecting nothing but victory against Sierra Leone.
He also expressed a high level of excitement at his reunion with his pals, having failed to join the squad for last month’s friendlies against Algeria and Tunisia in Austria, because all players at his club were ordered into quarantine after three of them tested positive to COVID-19.
The Chile 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup gold medalist and top scorer also spoke about ongoing comparisons he is receiving with Nigeria’s all-time highest goal netter, Rashidi Yekini, but humbly conceded that he is still a long way of from equaling the late hitman’s feats.
“I’ve always said it for me to fill in the shoes of a legend, the late Rashidi Yekini, is kind of heavy for me but I think I’m on the right path towards this direction. If I’m injury free I can achieve this but it’s never going to be easy and of course with the confidence the coach has in me and the fans also support me I think it’s achievable.
“For now I want to keep on helping the team, keep on doing well with my club and I’m really looking forward to achieving this feat but it’s never going to be easy. Compared to what he has done for the national team and he’s made a name for himself all over the world, it’s a huge step for me.
“By the special grace of God I’m going to achieve this feat and also pass it. For me, I think my goals will come obviously but the team’s victory comes first before my personal ambition so I just want to help the team if I’m featured in this game and I’m looking forward to the game.
“It’s a really a good feeling to be back with the squad and I’m really happy, and I think the squad is ready to go on Friday. Nothing but victory but to be realistic the game will never be easy and it will not be easy so we have to prepare well which we have been doing and it’s also good for me to be back in the squad, I think we are all ready and we’ll give our all for this win.
“It’s like kind of disappointing but we understand the COVID-19 situation so it’s important for us for them to support us from home and anywhere they are but for their presence not to be felt in the stadium is kind of like disappointing but we can understand the situation but it’s fine,” Osimhen concluded.
