Ademola Lookman has been Nigeria’s best player this tournament — but it is still Osimhen who is their most important player. The Napoli striker, who is Africa’s reigning men’s footballer of the year, is the outstanding individual player left in the tournament.
He was a doubt on Monday due to “stomach discomfort” — and was only cleared to travel on Tuesday. After just 30 seconds, the striker stretched to reach a through ball but, virtually untouched, went down holding his abdomen. Nigeria watched on, unease rising in their throats, before Osimhen rose and began to jog.
This has been a strange tournament for Osimhen, who, despite his undoubted class, has looked out of sorts at times. He was struggling with link-up play — having the fewest touches of any player on the pitch at half-time. Osimhen’s solution? Do all the build-up himself. After 65 minutes, Osimhen picked the ball up.
He evaded three defenders before spotting a corridor of space. It was Nigeria’s route to the final. He burst through, provoking a clumsy challenge. Clear penalty.William Troost-Ekong put it away. Osimhen did not score — but battling his stomach, still produced his signature moment of the tournament.
Source link : https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/nigeria-south-africa-live-updates-afcon-cup-nations-score-result/I6Y1rSFwWa6x/
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Publish date : 2024-02-07 08:00:00
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