Charleroi of Belgium striker, Victor Osimhen gave Nigerians a taste of what is to come as he re-enacted his performance at club level on Monday, as he scored three goals and had an assist that helped the Olympic Eagles over turn their first defeat to Libya in the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Sports247.ng reports that Osimhen, who was previously part of the under-23 squad coached by Samson Siasia, which won the 2015 U-23 AFCON, but was dropped from the side that got bronze at Rio 2016 Olympics, justified his deployment from the Super Eagles on Sunday to the Imama Amapakabo team.
Osimhen was deployed alongside Francis Odinaka Uzoho, Valentine Ozornwafor and Chidozie Awaziem, on a ‘rescue mission’ to the under-23 squad, following their 2-0 loss in the first leg last Wednesday.
Their inclusion proved adequate in front of fans at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
There were also notable improvements in all departments for the under-23, as two other players that have seen senior national team action, Kelechi Nwakali, who got an assist, and Samuel Chukwueze, as they both hit the woodwork.
Team captain, Azubuike Okechukwu, who had also donned the armband in the 2016 Olympics qualifiers Was The controller, supplying passes from deep.
Another Belgium-based in-form striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, who had also been part of the 2015 set but did not make it to the Olympics, failed to live up to expectation for the second match running.
The Royal Excel Mousrcon of Belgium attacker, who is on loan from Liverpool of England was later replaced in the 78th minute by debutant, David Okereke from Perugia of Italy, who missed the first leg in Tunisia due to visa issues.
Okereke’s entry proved another masterstroke from Amapakabo, as the lad on loan from Bologna of Italy slotted home Nigeria’s fourth and final goal of the evening, with an from an assist by man of the match, Osimhen.
