Former Nigerian international, Emmanuel Amuneke, has shed light on the reasons behind Victor Osimhen’s relatively subdued performance at the recent 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.
Osimhen, who was considered a frontrunner for the Golden Boot, managed to score only one goal in the tournament as Nigeria faced a 2-1 defeat against Ivory Coast in the AFCON final last Sunday.
Addressing Osimhen’s performance, Amuneke shared his insights with News Central TV, stating, “In this AFCON, Osimhen dedicated a significant amount of time to assisting the team defensively. When you have a striker known for his danger, constant movement, and, in the end, contributing defensively, it tends to diminish his overall quality.”
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Amuneke emphasized that Osimhen is a player who thrives on dynamic movement and requires teammates to deliver well-placed passes into spaces where he can be most effective and impactful. He also highlighted the importance of having players who can complement the efforts of players like Osimhen, citing Chukwueze and Simon Moses as examples.
In essence, Amuneke pointed out that Osimhen’s defensive responsibilities during the tournament may have affected his usual attacking prowess, emphasizing the need for a balance in roles within the team.