'He said same before Afcon final' - Gabon coach mocking reply to Osimhen's WC vow, cites Aubameyang

Gabon coach Thierry Mouyouma has issued a response to Victor Osimhen's recent declaration that he would do everything to help Nigeria overcome Gabon and qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

The Galatasaray superstar was instrumental in securing the Super Eagles' playoff berth, scoring six goals in five appearances to help the three-time African champions collect thirteen points from a possible fifteen. 

In his absence, Nigeria struggled, earning just four points from the same number of games.

The former Napoli man wants to play at next year's tournament in North America, after the Super Eagles narrowly failed to qualify for the 2022 edition in Qatar, missing out on the now obsolete away goals rule. 

Ahead of next week's playoff fixture against Gabon, Osimhen, known for his fiery passion and leadership on and off the pitch, rallied Nigerian fans and teammates, promising to give his all in the crucial game. 

Asked to respond to Osimhen's comments, Mouyouma slightly mocked the Nigeria talisman, recalling that the striker had made similar promises before the Super Eagles' defeat to Ivory Coast in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations

"Osimhen said he would do everything to take Nigeria to the World Cup," Mouyouma said at Thursday's press conference monitored by allnigeriasoccer.com.  

"I think Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has already answered this question and demonstrated by scoring four goals against The Gambia."

He praised Aubameyang's commitment to Gabon's qualification campaign, noting that the former African Footballer of the Year remained with the national team despite being suspended for their matchday ten clash with Burundi.

"Against Burundi, he did not return to his club to prepare for the next fixtures. He stayed with his teammates to show that he really wants to lead the national team to the World Cup. 

"So, I have almost nothing to say about Osimhen's words."

Mouyouma went on to aim a dig at Osimhen, suggesting that the forward's promises might be more rhetoric than reality.

"It's motivation, a call to unite his team behind him. But he also said in the last Afcon that he would do everything to bring the cup to Nigeria. Unfortunately, Ivory Coast won.

"Well, these are motivational words that everyone uses without conviction. It’s his opinion alone."

Osimhen is Nigeria's second-highest goalscorer in history, with 29 goals to his name, while Aubameyang is Gabon's all-time leading marksman with 39 goals.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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