'I want to be in the World Cup' - Osimhen vows to deliver for Super Eagles ahead of Gabon clash

Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen is determined to lead Nigeria back to the Fifa World Cup after the three-time African champions missed out on the 2022 edition in Qatar.

The former African Footballer of the Year has declared his readiness to give everything as the crucial playoff clash against Gabon's Panthers draws near.

Osimhen was Nigeria's most influential player during the World Cup qualifiers, netting six goals, including a sensational hat-trick in the Super Eagles' 4-0 rout of Benin on October 14. 

His absence from five matches due to fitness issues proved costly, as Nigeria managed only four points from a possible fifteen, drawing four matches and suffering defeat to the Cheetahs in Abidjan.

Fresh from scoring his sixth goal of the season for Galatasaray in their 3-1 victory over Goztepe, the 26-year-old forward spoke passionately about balancing his commitment to club and country.

In quotes relayed by Sporx, Osimhen stated: "We have many goals as a club. We need to work hard and fight for these goals.

"I want to be in the World Cup with my country. I am giving my everything there too. My focus is here now.

"Next month is the World Cup playoffs. I will help my teammates with my goals, assists and everything. Now we will rest this week and we will play an important match."

Nigeria reached the World Cup playoffs as the fourth-best second-placed team in the qualifiers.

In a twist of fate, the Super Eagles, the highest-ranked side among the playoff contenders, will face Gabon, who finished as the best second-placed team in the qualifying series but are the lowest-ranked nation in the Fifa standings among the playoff teams.
 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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