Hitting the net in the quarter-finals and semi-finals of a major international competition should usually see the forwards head into the final itself, full of confidence and expectations of leading their country to glory. When this centre-forward has also been one of the game’s top scorers in recent seasons, even more so. However, for Nigeria and Victor Osimhen, there is perhaps instead a lingering sense of frustration, annoyance and unfulfillment, a sense of being thwarted by fractions and unable to be at his explosive best.
Against Angola in the last eight of the Africa Cup of Nations, his powerful header found the top corner through the keeper’s outstretched arm – only for a VAR intervention to rule it marginally offside. A round later against South Africa, Osimhen’s late tap-in was disallowed in even more controversial circumstances, the goal disallowed and a penalty awarded at the other end instead, leading to extra time, penalties and ultimately Nigeria’s progression.
Add in Osimhen struggling for full fitness earlier in the competition, some heavy challenges in his way and Nigeria’s resolute defense at times meaning they don’t always play to their attacking talents and it’s clear the Napoli frontman has somewhat held back making this of competition – and now his last chance to do so comes against the team whose tournament actually is. From a host perspective, at least, as well as a script.
Ivory Coast had the most unlikely course. minutes away from a group stage exit, they sacked the manager, regrouped and went under the servant Emerse Fae again. Late comebacks, sensational winners, penalties… everything has gone their way since then and a 1-0 win over DR Congo took them to a first final in nearly a decade.
More than that, the team has gone from national embarrassment, restored dignity and now to the point of being heroes in a matter of weeks.
Ivory Coast is in the final at home
(AFP via Getty Images)
Since their last Afcon victory in 2015, Ivory Coast have failed to qualify for two consecutive World Cup finals, in Russia and Qatar. They have also failed to get past the quarter-finals in three consecutive Afcon appearances, with underperforming squads filled with Wilfried Bony, Jean Michael Seri, Salomon Kalou, Wilfried Zaha and Eric Bailly.
All of which makes the scale of this year’s upset all the more remarkable, while victory in the final itself would bring them level on three Afcon triumphs with arch-rivals Nigeria. But sometimes in football, in any sport really, fairytale stories don’t have that unbelievable, unbelievable, unbelievable-still-believable Hollywood-style ending.
If that is the case this time, the Nigerian frontman is definitely the most likely candidate to play the role of party spoiler. While he has only been credited with one goal in the tournament so far, he has still played a big part in the Super Eagles’ progress, assisting the first of Ademola Lookman’s two goals against Cameroon. Then again, there is also reason to suggest that Osimhen should be in the running for top scorer and he has disappointed somewhat: he has the same expected number of goals as Emilio Nsue, who leads with five for the tournament and missed the most chances in the Afcon , with five. It is also worth noting that he has won both of Nigeria’s penalties, which were scored by defender William Troost-Ekong, who takes them and not Osimhen himself.
Osimhen has scored just once in Afcon
(AFP via Getty Images)
Ever the team player, however, Osimhen puts himself into the running, the hard work and even the moments of bravery for those who share his shirt, on or off the pitch. He’s a top striker, but he’s far from just a goalscorer. However, these possibilities do not come up very often.
Oshichen will lead the line in the final
(AP)
It has been 11 years since Nigeria were in an Afcon final, Osimhen then still two years away from starring at the U17 World Cup. Goals and awards have been coming his way for years, but the former’s titles – trophies – eluded him until last season, when he fired Napoli to a spectacular Serie A success. Less than a year on, he now has the chance to add international honors to his legacy, perhaps leaving him free to decide his future comfortably in the summer with the mission accomplished, for now, on both fronts.
The hosts will be looking for a hero of their own in Abidjan on Sunday, and the contenders have already loomed large since the knockout stages began. From Franck Kessie’s efforts from the spot to Simon Adingra’s equalizer from nowhere and Fae himself galvanizing a fractured and directionless group, Ivory Coast’s progress was an achievement across the group. If they are to lift the trophy on home soil, one of them will be crowned the country’s youngest favorite in the process.
But Nigeria, and perhaps Osimhen more than most, will be all too ready to spoil that particular party.
Nigeria v Ivory Coast is on Sky Sports Premier League, Football and Main Event from 7.30pm. on Sunday, February 11, starting at 8 p.m.