Victor Osimhen has admitted that he wanted to take the penalty he won during Nigeria’s hard-fought 1-0 victory against Ivory in the second matchday of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations but was overruled by manager Jose Peseiro.
The Napoli superstar was officially named the standout player in the blockbuster clash on Thursday evening at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan.
The Super Eagles were awarded a penalty by Algerian referee Mustapha Ghorbal who deemed Ivorian defender Ousmane Diomande fouled Osimhen in the 51st minute.
The penalty was not given in real time but after a review on the pitchside monitor, the referee awarded a spot kick which was converted emphatically by William Troost-Ekong.
Osimhen has underlined that it doesn’t matter who scores the goals as long as the Super Eagles win.
On the decision to allow Troost-Ekong to take the penalty, whether it was his decision or Peseiro’s instruction, the official Man of the Match said at the post-match press conference: “It was the coach. He wanted me to take it but I have to respect it, he’s the captain. “For me, I really don’t mind who takes the penalty or who scores for the team. I want the team to win. I want the team to progress so this is the most important thing for me.” In the final group game on Monday, January 22 at the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny in Abidjan, Nigeria will face Guinea-Bissau and a victory will see the Super Eagles top Group A if Equatorial Guinea fail to beat hosts Ivory Coast.