Super Eagles top striker Victor Osimhen has revealed his burning desire to play in his first FIFA World Cup.
To achieve this, he has urged his teammates to buckle up for the two crucial World Cup must win qualifiers against Rwanda March 17 and against Zimbabwe March 24. Osimhen missed the first three games of the qualifiers due to injury, but he is fit and ready to lead the attack for those crucial games.
He said the Super Eagles who are two places from the bottom in the group C qualifiers must revive their fortunes and prevent the heart-breaking moment when they miss the 2022 World Cup.
“It’s the dream of every footballer to play at the World Cup, and given our current situation in the group, I feel a significant urgency alongside my teammates to qualify for the 2026 tournament,” Osimhen told BBC Sport Africa.
“The setback we experienced in 2022 was tough, and we’re determined to ensure that doesn’t happen again for our nation or our generation. I aim to play in the World Cup and look back on my career without any regrets.
“With a new manager at the helm, we are eager to confront the match against Rwanda and learn from the mistakes we’ve made thus far, positioning ourselves favourably for qualification,”
He added that the Super Eagles are looking forward to working with Eric Chelle who will be having his first test with the games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
“I’ve had conversations with him and have a clear understanding of his objectives for us as players,” Osimhen explained. “Ultimately, success is a combination of the coach’s strategies and the players’ commitment to achieving our collective goals.
“We’re representing our country, our families, and the aspirations of nearly 300 million people. This drives our ambition to succeed and highlights the importance of achieving our goal of playing at the World Cup.”
