Osimhen insists Boniface had a very good game v Benin; 100 percent sure Lookman will win African POTY 

Victor Osimhen has leapt to the defence of his international teammate and friend Victor Boniface in the wake of the criticism he received from some pundits and fans for his performance against Republic of Benin's Cheetahs in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match on Saturday.

While the Bayer Leverkusen marksman threw away a couple of chances that came his way during the game, Osimhen needed less than six minutes after his introduction to announce his return to the national team.

The Super Eagles number 9 pointed out that missing chances is a normal occurrence for strikers and also spoke about the togetherness in the Super Eagles squad. 

"Boniface has been a brother to me just like Awoniyi. One thing I really love about this group is the unity and solidarity regardless of who is starting or who is on the bench. We all have the same mindset, the same goal to win every game, to fight for each other," Osimhen told Counter Attack Podcast .

"Boniface had a very good game, he was quite unlucky with some attempts but it's normal. Strikers miss a lot of chances as we can score.

"He really did well and an important player also that can win games for us individually. It's really a good game from him and it was important for me to come in and also do my thing."

Another topic Osimhen touched on was Ademola Lookman's nomination for the Ballon d'Or and the chances of the Atalanta forward winning the 2024 African Footballer of the Year.

Lookman had an outstanding season for club and country in  2023-2024, starring as the Super Eagles reached the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and also played a key role as Atalanta won the Europa League after beating Boniface's Bayer Leverkusen in the showpiece. 

"To see Ademola in this kind os situation, I am really happy for him because I know few of his stories and also in terms of football he deserves every good thing that comes his way because he's also a very good guy," Osimhen said.

"He's a passionate guy, he does his job diligently. I'm really happy for him but of course we all know he's going to win the African Player of the Year. One hundred percent for sure, he will win it.

"I already told him he's bringing it home and he deserves it as he has done so well for us It's a win for Nigeria because he has represented us well. He has carried the team so he deserves his moment and I pray to God that he's really going to win it."

Lookman improved his chances of being named the African Player of the Year after scoring two stunning goals in the Super Eagles' 3-0 rout of Republic of Benin on Saturday in Uyo.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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