Osimhen unlucky against Tanzania – Aiyegbeni

Former Nigeria striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, has defended Victor Osimhen after the striker failed to score in Nigeria’s opening game at the ongoing 2025 AFCON in Morocco, while also noting that the midfield showed some improved performance, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Osimhen fired blanks, but the Super Eagles began their campaign with a 2-1 win over Tanzania in Fez, thanks to goals from defender Semi Ajayi and 2024 African Player of the Year, Ademola Lookman.

The Galatasaray striker thought he had doubled Nigeria’s advantage just after the restart, but his effort was ruled out for an offside. Aside from that, he had seven shots in the game, keeping three of them on target.

While the striker was hit by some Nigerians for his lack of goals and on-field displays, Aiyegbeni jumped at the defence of the 2023 African Player of the Year.

“As a striker, you miss chances, and you score some. I think he works so hard for the team, he was just unlucky not to score,” Aiyegbeni told The Boom Show in Morocco.

Months after slamming the Super Eagles for lack of creativity, he also commended the performance of Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze in the middle of the pack during the Tanzania win.

Alex Iwobi provided the assists for both Nigeria’s goals.

“I can say today is much better with Chukwueze and Alex Iwobi. They try to create some chances. We still need a creative midfielder, but they did really well this time.”

Nigeria’s next game is against Tunisia on Saturday, before ending their group stage campaign against Uganda next Tuesday.

The Super Eagles are three-time champions of the AFCON in 1980, 1994 and 2013. They went close to winning their fourth title last year but finished as runners-up after losing 2-1 against hosts Ivory Coast in the final.