'In chaos they thrive' - Former Venezuela forward backs Osimhen to deliver v Gabon after bonus row

Former Venezuela international Alejandro Moreno has highlighted Victor Osimhen as the player Nigeria will rely on to deliver big goals in their crucial World Cup qualifier against Gabon on Thursday evening.

Osimhen netted a hat-trick in Nigeria's 4-0 win over Benin Republic in October, a result that sealed the Super Eagles' place in the playoffs.

Moreno praised the Nigerian striker as a proven goalscorer, noting that his impact remains significant even though he is not currently playing for a top-tier European club.  

"All I know is that when they needed him to score big goals, Nigeria, the last time against Benin, hat-trick. I don't know where he's playing or where he's not playing, he's a goalscorer," Moreno said on ESPN FC.

The former Columbus Crew forward emphasized that Osimhen's performance will be crucial if the Super Eagles are to progress to the final stage of the qualifiers.

"And when they needed him to have a big game and he did that. What else can you ask for from the guy, I don't know."

"I think it is going to be critical for Nigeria that he continues to perform at this level, because this team in chaos they strive but it's looking like it is going to be stressful to get all the way to the World Cup," he added.

Moreno also reflected on the team's recurring off-field issues, noting that Nigeria often finds a way to produce results despite disorganization and disputes between players and the federation.

"In all honesty, in every important moment, whenever the Super Eagles have some qualification big games or whenever the circumstances are leading up to a big game, there's always some sort of issues going on with this team, federation or players and the lack of organization and logical issues but apparently this is where they thrive," he said.

"In chaos they thrive and it doesn't get more chaotic than having to have issues with the federation ahead of a huge match. So if in chaos they thrive, if we go with that theory then Nigeria advances somehow."

The Super Eagles resumed training on Wednesday evening after boycotting their Tuesday session over unpaid allowances and bonuses.

Meanwhile, Gabon head into the tie in impressive form, having won eight, drawn one, and lost just once in their qualification campaign.

Despite their solid record, the Panthers are viewed as underdogs against the star-studded Nigerian side.

A win for Nigeria would keep their hopes of securing a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, very much alive.

Adeyemi Adewale

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