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Victor Osimhen will perform without pressure at AFCON 2023 – PFAN boss, Jalla
“My biggest worry is coach Jose Peseiro, he is just not competent enough to lead the team to victory. He may just be the spoiler.”
The Chairman, Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) Task Force, Harrison Jalla is confident that Victor Osimhen wouldn’t be under any form of pressure to perform in the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON 2023, set to begin on Saturday.
Osimhen will lead Nigeria’s quest for a fourth title from the front and this will begin with an opener against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.
The Napoli forward who is also the reigning African Footballer of the Year missed the last edition due to injury. This edition will see him make his full debut after playing a fringe role during the 2019 edition where Odion Ighalo was the preferred choice upfront.
Jalla believes that considering the experience Osimhen has now, he will not be under any pressure to perform.
AFCON 2023
Speaking exclusively with Vanguard, Jalla said “Victor Osimhen as the current African footballer of the year is an added advantage to the team and a morale booster. Osimhen’s status in football has gone beyond a player who will be under pressure.”
He further expressed concern over the competency of the coach, Jose Peseiro as well as the department of the team that worries him.
He said, “I have absolute confidence in this crop of Eagles, they can come home with the trophy if properly managed. The current Super Eagles has its strength in attack. The team’s weakest point, unfortunately, is goalkeeping. I am very worried that the handlers of the team have not found a solution to this problem.
“My biggest worry is coach Jose Peseiro, he is just not competent enough to lead the team to victory. He may just be the spoiler.”
Jalla expects Nigeria and host nation Cote d’Ivoire to make it out of the group. Other teams in the group are Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.
