Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has defended national teammate Victor Osimhen amid criticism he has been receiving at the on-going Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.
The reigning African footballer of the year has featured in Nigeria’s two Group A matches and scored once in the 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea in their tournament opener. The Napoli man was expected to be among the strikers that set the tournament alight but it hasn’t been easy for him to find the back of the net.
The Chippa United keeper defended his countryman saying the tournament has been tough for all top strikers however it’s not fair that the 25 year old is criticised as if he hasn’t even scored.
“I mean come on, the striker scored a goal” Nwabali told IDiski Times.
“He brought us back against Equatorial Guinea and we could have won the game but the best striker in Africa, one of the best in the world, scored in one game and lifted the team. And how many goals has Sadio Mane scored? He hasn’t scored. [Mane has since scored one goal.] How many goals has Salah scored? He scored a penalty. How many good strikers in this competition have been able to score a goal?”
“I understand about Osimhen because he is the best now but come on he has scored a goal and I wouldn’t judge him because we can’t put the blame on one person. To me Osimhen is Africa’s best because you can see this guy is really hungry”
The Super Eagles who are sitting in second position in the group with four points are in action in the group decider against Guinea Bissau tonight at 19:00 in Abidjan.
