2023 AFCON: CAF Consoles Osimhen After Nigeria’s 2-1 Defeat To Ivory Coast
The Confederation of African Football (CAF), has sent a message to console Super Eagles Striker Victor Osimhen following Nigeria’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), final 2-1 defeat to Ivory Coast on Sunday night.
Osimhen, who has been impressive for Nigeria at the 2023 AFCON, failed to lead Jose Peseiro’s side to victory against Ivory Coast.
Daily Post reports that Franck Kessie and Sebastien Haller scored for Ivory Coast to ensure they won their third AFCON trophy.
William Troost-Ekong did score for the Super Eagles during the encounter.
In a tweet on X after the game, CAF wrote: Heads up Victor, you made your country proud.
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Ivory Coast Defeats Nigeria 2 – 1 to Win the 2023 AFCON
Ahead of the competition, Nigeria’s greatest strengths had been in attack, where Victor Osimhen headlined a potent list of forwards making waves in Europe.
That, though, wasn’t what they’d rely on. Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro chose to prioritize defensive compactness, building a formidable back-line with Troost-Ekong — a subject of intense Nigerian criticism before the AFCON — as the chief cornerstone, and propping it all up with the almost invincible figure of new No.1 Stanley Nwabali in goal.
And it worked, with Nigeria conceding just once from open play before the final and just enough going for them at the other end of the pitch.
The performances weren’t spectacular, no, but this was just how Peseiro’s mentor, namesake, compatriot, and best friend Jose Mourinho would have gone through a tournament.
The Super Eagles came unstuck at the final hurdle, though, their resolve broken by rare defensive slip-ups ruthlessly exploited by the resilient and relentless Ivorians.
