Super Eagles ahead Victor Osimhen has defined the mentality that drives him every time he misses a transparent scoring alternative, insisting that his confidence by no means wavers even in pressured moments.
Osimhen was on the centre of consideration throughout Nigeria’s 4–1 extra-time victory over Gabon within the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoffs in Rabat.
With the match tied at 1-1 in stoppage time, the Galatasaray striker discovered himself one-on-one with the Gabon goalkeeper however guided his effort large.
Reflecting on the miss, Osimhen advised Cali Sports activities that he instantly apologised to his teammates however remained satisfied he would make amends.
“I at all times have this mentality that, even when I miss alternative, as long as the sport retains happening, I’ll attempt to verify I right it by nonetheless scoring later,” Osimhen advised Cali Sports activities in Rabat.
The 26-year-old went on to justify that perception, scoring twice in further time to assist Nigeria safe a spot within the playoff last.
‘That doesn’t take away what I can do’
Osimhen mentioned he was by no means discouraged by the stoppage-time miss, emphasising that strikers should be taught to simply accept each reward and criticism.
“As a striker, typically I rating a objective that nobody believes; however I might additionally typically lose the one that folks assume I’m going to attain. That doesn’t take away what I can do,” he mentioned.
“I’m an expert participant, and I’ve been within the recreation for a very long time. I’ve performed in opposition to some very intimidating groups the place I miss good alternatives. Typically, it occurs like that.”
He added that he reassured his teammates instantly after the miss.
“That’s what I at all times inform my teammates. Now we have to maintain making an attempt. So, I first advised them I’m sorry, after which I promised that I used to be going to right it in further time.
I’m completely satisfied that I did it, and kudos to my teammates who gave me the assists to attain the 2 targets. I’m additionally completely satisfied concerning the mentality of the workforce, all of us.”
Teammates react
Tremendous Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong mentioned the workforce moved shortly to encourage Osimhen after the missed probability.
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“Once I noticed him operating on the goalkeeper, I used to be certain he was going to attain, however after that we tried to encourage him and tried to verify he wasn’t disheartened,” he advised ESPN Africa.
Winger Samuel Chukwueze praised Osimhen’s response.
“I used to be operating with him with the ball, I even ran previous the pitch,” he joked.
“However it’s soccer, typically it occurs, all people is aware of he can rating that sort of objective, and he gave us two targets and it’s incredible.”
Osimhen will hope to increase his scoring kind when Nigeria face the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday.
The Leopards superior after defeating Cameroon 1–0 courtesy of a late Chancel Mbemba strike.
