Elanza News reports that Osimhen became the first Nigerian after Nwankwo Kanu in 1999 to win the CAF POTY award as the best player on the continent in December.
This was after he powered Napoli to their first Scudetto title in 33 years and topping the goalscorer chart during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.
However, since Osimhen’s triumph at the CAF award ceremony, the Super Eagles had not met as a team.
Nigeria’s last engagement was in November when the Super Eagles, who had Osimhen out injured, were forced to two consecutive 1-1 draws by Lesotho and Zimbabwe in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Super Eagles are, however, gathered in their training camp in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, as they step up preparations for the AFCON in Cote d Ivoire this month.
The national team camp opened on Tuesday, with 24 out of the 25 invited players already working with head coach Jose Peseiro.
Only Leicester City’s striker Kelechi Iheanacho is being awaited as he recovers from an injury threatening his participation at the tournament.
Osimhen and William Troost-Ekong were among the last players to arrive in camp.
The team’s first dinner together on Friday, therefore presented the Super Eagles the perfect opportunity to officially congratulate the current African king.
A video shared on the team’s official X account on Saturday, saw Patrick Pascal, the team’s coordinator, call out Osimhen for special recognition.
He was honoured with a standing ovation and resounding claps by his teammates and officials.
“On behalf of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Ibrahim Gusau, the board members, the coach, team officials, the Captain and the players of the Super Eagles, please help me welcome the king, Osimhen ,” Pascal said.
He officially welcomed Osimhen and praised him for winning the prestigious award, adding that the NFF as well as the entire country was proud of his achievements.
Prayers were thereafter offered to thank God for giving him the victory.
Elanza News also reports that Osimhen will be Nigeria’s primary goal outlet when proceedings kick off at the 34th edition of the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.
The Napoli forward was Nigeria’s most prolific goalscorer in 2023.
As the best striker on the continent, he will be expected to lead the Super Eagles’ charge for a fourth continental crown.
Osimhen could become the first Nigerian player since Rashidi Yekini to win the AFCON as the Best Player on the continent.
The 2023 AFCON which kicks off on Jan. 13 will end on Feb. 11.
Quadri first defeated Salifou Abdel-Kaden of Benin 3-0 in Group 2, securing his spot in the knockout stage with a dominant performance.
In the Round of 16, Quadri continued his strong form, defeating Mohamed Khaloufi of Tunisia 4-0. His clinical performance helped him progress further in the tournament.
Next, Quadri will face Oba Oba Kizito of Côte d’Ivoire in the quarterfinals. The match will take place on Thursday at the Palais des Sports d’el Menzah. (NAN)
Haaland had missed City’s Champions League play-off second leg exit against Real Madrid and the Premier League defeat to Liverpool with a knee injury suffered against Newcastle on February 15.
The Norway star marked his return with the first half winner in north London as City climbed one point above Chelsea, who had gone fourth after their win over Southampton on Tuesday.
It was Haaland’s 28th goal in all competitions this season, with 10 of those coming in his last 11 games to silence the critics after a barren spell earlier this season.
After four defeats in their last six games in all competitions, this was a much-needed victory for City, who started strongly but rode their luck as Tottenham missed a series of second half chances.
Pep Guardiola’s side are still a million miles away from the team that powered to four successive league titles prior to this season.
But Guardiola will take encouragement from the way they ground out a gritty success at a time when so little is going right for them.
Tottenham’s run of two consecutive wins came to an end, maintaining the inconsistency that has hampered them for a much of a turbulent campaign.
Ange Postecoglou’s team are languishing in 13th place, with next week’s Europa League last 16 first leg against AZ Alkmaar the club’s sole focus to salvage the season.
Second youngest line-up
Haaland shot straight at Tottenham keeper Guglielmo Vicario in the opening minutes as City made a vibrant start.
He wasn’t to be denied for long as City took the lead in the 12th minute.
Jeremy Doku’s surge into the area opened up the Tottenham defence, with the Belgian’s cross put on a plate for the unmarked City striker to finish from six yards.
Doku threatened to double City’s advantage as he cut inside for a low strike that forced a good stop from Vicario.
Ravaged by injuries, Tottenham named their second youngest ever starting line-up in a Premier League match at an average age of 23 years 243 days.
Postecoglou’s youngsters found it impossible to stop City finding holes in their defence time and again.
Doku picked out Savinho five yards from goal but the Brazilian’s scuffed shot flew over when it seemed impossible to miss.
Haaland wasted a golden opportunity with a close-range strike that Vicario saved with his legs.
Tottenham nearly snatched an equaliser against the run of play just before half-time as Kevin Danso’s header was tipped over by Ederson.
City were exposed again early in the second half as Brennan Johnson’s teasing cross reached Wilson Odobert at the far post, but the forward poked wide from four yards.
Ederson had to scramble across goal to palm away Odobert’s deflected effort before it could loop into the net.
City had lost their way and Tottenham should have been level when Destiny Udogie found Mathys Tel in space, only for the teenager to shoot wastefully wide.
Postecoglou sent on Son Heung-min in the closing stages, but Ederson made a superb save to deny the South Korean before Pape Sarr headed over at the death as City held on.
AFP
The experienced tactician spoke during the pre-match press conference ahead of the club’s Sunday clash with Empoli.
Lookman, who scored 36 seconds after coming on as his team were losing 3-0 at home, failed to convert a penalty kick on 61 minutes. This attracted the ire of Gasperini who described the winger as “one of the worst penalty-takers” he has ever seen.
Lookman, who returned from injury to add more firepower to Atalanta’s attack in the UCL knockout playoff round the team eventually lost 3-1 to Club Brugge, fired back at his coach.
The 28-year-old said Gasperini’s words were “deeply disrespectful”.
The club hierarchy also weighed in afterward, and a meeting of both camps was reportedly called to clear the air.
At the press conference on Saturday, Gasperini said he did not mean to offend the former Charlton youngster.
The 66-year-old also said Lookman had an “extraordinary impact” and further revealed that he expected the free-scoring attacker to add penalty goals to his arsenal.
“The player [Lookman] felt offended, but I did not mean to offend anyone. Lookman came on in an extraordinary way against Brugge, his gesture, even if generous, doesn’t change what my idea is,” he said,
“I would have liked a strong player like him to have made a gesture towards De Ketelaere [the club’s assigned penalty taker] saying “come on, keep the ball, put it in.
“He can become a penalty taker, it would be an additional scoring ability.”
Gasperini, who has been the coach of Atalanta since 2016, added that he might quit the club at the end of the season or leave when his contract with the Bergamo club ends next year.
It is unclear if the Lookman incident weighed in on the Palermo legend’s decision.
“I don’t have much time left to do this; maybe this is the last chance. As has been said, there’s a beginning and an end,” he said.
“At the end of the year, we’ll see whether to let the contract run out or stop earlier, but there definitely won’t be any continuity. There will be no further renewals or extensions.”
