Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai believes Victor Osimhen brings something to the national team that simply can’t be replicated by any of Nigeria’s other available strikers, regardless of their individual quality.
Osimhen has scored 23 goals and provided 11 assists in 39 appearances for the Super Eagles since his debut back in June 2017.
Softfootball understands that Nigeria’s attack has often looked less sharp in matches where the Galatasaray striker has been unavailable through injury or squad decisions.
Rufai explained what sets Osimhen apart from Nigeria’s other forwards:
We also have other players who can play when Osimhen is not there. The point is that when Osimhen comes into a team, he makes a difference. It is not like the other players do not have their impact; they also make their impact.”
The 1994 African Player of the Year-winning goalkeeper credited Osimhen’s relentless work ethic as a defining trait:
To be a champion, you just have to give everything, and that is an area where Osimhen is doing very well. He’s always hungry for goals,
he said, while acknowledging that other strikers sometimes face heightened scrutiny during off games.
