AFCON
From Victor Moses To Victor Osimhen, Super Eagles Hope For Another Victorious Ending To Afcon Group Stage –
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
The last time Nigeria won the Africa Cup of Nations 11 years ago, Victor Moses scored the decisive goals of the last group match that propelled the Super Eagles into the next stage and consequently to the winning of the trophy.
The burden of success again falls on another Victor. This time, attention is on Victor Osimhen as Nigeria looks forward to top the Group A, if the Super Eagles beat Guinea Bissau and hosts, Cote d’Ivoire also come out victorious.
Osimhen, Nigeria’s most lethal point man has played over 180 minutes across two matches against Guinea Bissau in the qualifying stage but never scored.
Monday’s match, symbolically Nigeria’s 100th match in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, may present Osimhen the opportunity to prove his proficiency.
Should he succeed in scoring, especially the first goal for Nigeria, it will turn a milestone of 140th.
No fewer than three previous milestone goals scored for Nigeria had been by players with the name: Victor.
Victor Ikpeba, African Footballer of the Year 1997 scored Nigeria’s 70th goal in Africa Cup of Nations when he scored the first of his two goals against Tunisia in the 2000 edition in Lagos.
Another Victor, Victor Obinna Nsofor score the 100th goal, also against Tunisia in 2006.
Victor Nsofor went on to score Nigeria’s 110th goal. It was the goal that won Nigeria the third place match against Algeria in 2010.
Will another Victor be victorious with another victory and the milestone 140th goal? All eyes are on Victor Osimhen.
The hopes of Libya securing a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations ticket seem to have gone up in smoke. This is the sequel to the 2-1 defeat that Rwanda inflicted on the Benin Republic on Tuesday evening.
With the result, Libya’s position is further cemented at the bottom of the table. Nigeria, even with an outstanding match, still leads with seven points.
They are followed by Benin Republic who have six points. Rwanda followed with five points.
The star men were Innocent Nshuti and Djihad Bizimana who scored in the space of two minutes as Rwanda came from behind to defeat Benin 2-1 at Amahoro Stadium on Tuesday, October 15.
Rwanda’s defeat of Benin Republic is not just their first win in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series, the victory terminates a 12-year winless streak against the Cheetah of Benin.
It is also a renewal of their hopes of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. But they still have two more games to play.
The German made two changes from the side that started against Benin last week as Samuel Gueulette and Emmanuel Imanishimwe came in for Kevin Muhire and Claude Niyomugabo respectively.
The press release on Tuesday by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) may have lifted a burden off Nigeria as the match with Libya is considered postponed rather than the Super Eagles refusing to play.
The continental body remarked that the matter would be referred to the competent CAF bodies.
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