Victor Osimhen: Jose Peseiro speaks on Napoli star’s potential move to Chelsea, Arsenal; AFCON impact

Former Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has hailed Napoli striker Victor Osimhen for his impact in Nigeria’s second-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports.

Victor Osimhen went to the AFCON in January as Africa’s most celebrated superstar after winning the Africa Player of the Year in December.

However, the 25-year-old forward, who was the top goalscorer with ten goals during the qualifiers, had a poor goal return at the tournament proper, managing just one goal.

Osimhen’s only goal came in Nigeria’s 1-1 opening-day draw against Equatorial Guinea.

Despite not finding his range, however, the Nigerian forward’s impact was felt throughout the tournament.

Osimhen won the penalty that gave Nigeria a 1-0 group stage win over hosts Cote d’Ivoire; forced an own goal in the victory over Guinea-Bissau; laid the assist to the opening goal in the 2-0 knock-out win over Cameroon; and won a penalty in the semifinals triumph over South Africa.

More than Osimhen’s lack of goals, Peseiro praised the striker’s contribution to Nigeria’s positive outing, emphasised by his desire to place team glory over individual ambitions.

“Victor is a formidable footballer,” Peseiro told SportItalia.

“Even though he only scored one goal, he was very important to the success the Super Eagles had in the Africa Cup of Nations.

“A true team player who fought until the last minute in search of victory.”

Osimhen signed a contract with Napoli, extending his deal with the Italian champions.

However, he is expected to be at the centre of a transfer tussle among some of Europe’s wealthiest clubs in the summer.