Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has shared what he told teammate Semi Ajayi before his acrobatic goal in Saturday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Benin Republic.
Osimhen, who came off the bench, scored an impressive acrobatic goal in the second half as Nigeria secured a 3-0 victory at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
Ademola Lookman contributed with two goals in the match.
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Osimhen revealed that he spoke to Ajayi in Yoruba, asking the defender to leave the ball for him.
Speaking on the Counter Attack Podcast, Osimhen said:
“I have watched it [the goal] close to like ten times. The last training before the game, me, Aina, Awoniyi and Wilfred, we were doing this same practice, we did it more than ten times to be able to just do the cross inside the penalty box.
“For sure you will be present there as a striker. When he [Ndidi] did the cross, Semi was also going towards the ball.
“If he hits it, he can score or maybe the goalkeeper parries it, I saw that I had a clear chance than him. I told him in Yoruba, ‘filẹ, filẹ,’ meaning ‘leave it’ so he understood what I meant, and then he left it.”