AFCON 2023: Ex Barcelona Star Warns Super Eagles Not to Over Rely on Osimhen

• Emmanuel Amuneke has urged the Super Eagles to play as a team
• He warned against depending too much on Victor Osimhen
• Nigeria kicks off their AFCON campaign against Equatorial Guinea

Victor Osimhen’s impact on the Super Eagles cannot be over-emphasised, but ex-Barcelona winger Emmanuel Amuneke has urged the team not to be too dependent on the Napoli striker.

The reigning Africa Footballer of the Year played a significant role in helping Nigeria qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, finishing as the top scorer in the qualifiers with 10 goals.

With Nigeria bidding to win a fourth AFCON title, Osimhen has been touted to once again be the star player for the Super Eagles in Ivory Coast, although Amuneke has urged Jose Peseiro’s team to play as a unit, All Nigeria Soccer reports.

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"Of course, he is a wonderful and distinguished player, but football is a team game that depends on what the team does as a whole, not one player. There must be harmony and harmony between the players in order to reach the podium.”

Osimhen has been a fundamental player for the Super Eagles since he broke into the national team.

Osimhen named among influential Africans

Meanwhile, Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen has been named among the 100 Most Influential Africans of 2023 following his achievements on and off the football pitch, Punch reports.

The 24-year-old forward was included in the list alongside music superstars Burna Boy and Tems, Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, CAF President Patrice Motsepe and Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote.

Osimhen, who was crowned 2023 African Player of The Year, led Napoli to the Serie A title last season, the club’s first league crown in 33 years.

Angry coach calls for Wilfried Zaha's exclusion from Ivory Coast AFCON squad

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Osimhen tipped for AFCON MVP

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that former Chelsea star and ex-Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel has backed Victor Osimhen to clinch the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Player of the Tournament award.

The 24-year-old Napoli forward is expected to play a critical role for the Super Eagles as Jose Peseiro’s team bids to win Africa’s biggest football competition for the first time since 2013.