Victor Osimhen: Emmanuel Amuneke Explains Why Nigeria Striker Struggled at AFCON

• Victor Osimhen struggled to score at the 2023 AFCON
• The Nigerian superstar scored once at the tournament
• Emmanuel Amuneke explains why the Napoli man struggled

Nigeria's 2023 Africa Cup of Nations ended painfully after Ivory Coast beat them in the final.

Their top man, Victor Osimhen, struggled to score goals in the tournament. The Napoli star scored once all game, and some criticised him for failing to find the back of the net.

The 25-year-old bagged Nigeria's only goal in their game against Equatorial Guinea but failed to score for the rest of the tournament. However, his lack of goals doesn't mean he didn't contribute to their run to the final.

The Napoli superstar was fouled in their second game against Ivory Coast. The resulting penalty gave the Super Eagles a vital win. His pressure and movement forced Guinea-Bissau to score an own goal in their final group game.

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The former Lille star assisted Ademola Lookman's first goal against Cameroon in the Round of 16. He also played a role in his second of the night.

Osimhen's smart movement in the box gave Lookman space to score the Super Eagles' only goal against Angola in the quarter-final. In the semis, Nigeria scored after he was fouled in the box.

He struggled to impose himself in the final against the hosts. Throughout the tournament, he played 646 minutes, attempted 24 shots (five on target), and created seven chances, per Opta Analyst.

Amuneke on why Osimhen struggled

The Super Eagles legend scored a brace when Nigeria won their second AFCON title in 1994. His double helped Nigeria beat Zambia 2-1 in the final.

Amuneke gave a few reasons why Nigeria's best player struggled to score at the tournament.

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“You know, in this AFCON, Osimhen spent a lot of time helping the team to defend. And when you have a striker that is so dangerous, move a lot, and then at the end of the day, he is coming to defend, I think it reduces his quality,” he said via Afrik Foot.

“Osimhen is a player that when you look at him, moves a lot and needs players that can actually, you know, give him those balls into spaces where he can become effective and functional."

“Chukwueze and Simon Moses likewise, but of course, you must have players that can complement the effort of these players.”

Osimhen has scored one goal in eight AFCON appearances.

What next for Osimhen?

Sports Brief earlier reported on Osimhen's next move after the AFCON heartbreak.

The main question is, will he be available for selection this coming Saturday when Napoli play Genoa in the Serie A, given his injury concern?

Napoli needs their star striker back as they are currently struggling in the league. The defending champions are ninth in the league table with 35 points scored.