'I wouldn't write him off' - Ex-Bafana Bafana captain tips Osimhen to be the star man of AFCON final

Former Bafana Bafana captain Dean Furman has tipped Victor Osimhen to be the star man when Nigeria face Ivory Coast in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday. 

The Napoli forward wasn't on the scoresheet again when the Super Eagles booked their place in the final at the expense of South Africa but yet played a vital role in the game.

He won the penalty that led to Nigeria's only goal of the encounter having been tripped by Mothobi Mvala in the 64th minute with William Troost-Ekong slotting home the resulting spot kick.

The reigning CAF Men's Player of the Year hasn't been in his best goal-scoring form since the start of the tournament but has been backed to excel in the AFCON showpiece against Ivory Coast on Sunday.

Speaking on BBC World Service after the Super Eagles triumphed over his country, Furman expressed his disappointment with the performance of the star striker in front of goal so far in the competition but didn't put it past him to shine against the Elephants.

"First half, he was quiet, second half he came alive, did fantastically to win that penalty, and going into this final, they would need him to be on his A-game," Furman said. 

"I think you have got to start those chances that are coming his way. He keeps putting himself in those positions, so surprising because they keep planting it on his head and he gets up so well, you expect it to be in the back of the net and he has blazed quite a few headers in this tournament over the bar.

"Technically, he is just getting under the ball, for a player of his quality, you expect him to be on 5, 6, or 7 goals already by this stage of the tournament and I wouldn't write him off of being the star man of the final."

Coincidentally, Osimhen won the penalty that led to Nigeria's solitary goal in their victory  against the host country during the group stage.

While a good number of chances have come his way since the start of the tournament, the 25-year-old has only found the back of the net once.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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