NIGERIA'S U17 World Cup hero Victor Osimhen could be set to make his starting debut for the U23 team today when they face Algeria in the final of the U23 African Championships in Senegal.
Osimhen, 17, was the leading goal scorer at the recently concluded U17 World Cup where he found the back of the net a record 10 times, subsequently taking home the golden boot. He was also voted the second best player behind compatriot Kelechi Nwakali, earning him the silver ball.
Given his prolific nature in front of goal, U23 coach Samson Siasia decided to take Osimhen to the U23 championships where he has made two appearances as a substitute, helping Nigeria get to the final. However, due to a combination of injuries and the poor form of other strikers, Siasia is considering handing Osimhen a starting shirt today.
Both strikers Taiwo Awoniyi and Kufre Ebong have failed to impress playing alongside Junior Ajayi upfront. In contrast, when Osimhen came on against Senegal in the semi finals, he made an immediate impact, earning Nigeria a penalty, which led to the goal that secured victory.
One team official said: “Osimhen is now being considered to partner Junior Ajayi upfront especially after what he showed when he came in against Senegal in the semi-final. It was his header into the box that led to the mix-up between the goalkeeper and defender, which then led to the penalty from which Etebo Oghenekaro scored the match winner.”
Osimhen was a last-minute replacement in the squad for Granada striker Isaac Success who could not go because his club refused to release him. Currently highly sought after by some of Europe’s top clubs, Osimhen himself has said it would be something special to find the back of the net in today's championship final in Dakar.
Having both qualified for the men’s football event of the 2016 Rio Olympics, Nigeria and Algeria will be out to put the icing on the cake on their campaign at the Senegal tournament. Earlier on in the qualification phrase, both sides had played a 0-0 draw, which took them through to the semi finals.
Pierre-Andre Schurman, Algeria's head coach, said: “Our mission was to qualify for the Olympic Games and it is done and I congratulate my players and staff on that. Our qualification is historic in the sense that it has been 35-years since Algeria last qualified for the Olympic Games.
"Today's final will never be the same like the meeting at the group phase. It is a different game and we will have a different philosophy because it is an important game for the two coaches."
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