'Thank God we have Osimhen' - Former Super Eagles player turned pastor tips Nigeria to beat Gabon

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper turned pastor, Peterside Idah, has expressed confidence that Nigeria will secure victory in Thursday evening's 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff against Gabon, citing the national team's historical dominance and the scintillating form of star striker Victor Osimhen.

Off-field issues have dominated headlines ahead of the crucial fixture against the Panthers. 

Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi appeared to criticise the poor conditions of the team’s hotel, while players boycotted Tuesday's training session over a bonus dispute with the Nigeria Football Federation.

The Super Eagles struggled in the qualifiers, needing a late surge to reach the playoffs, collecting fourteen points from their last six matches. 

In contrast, without Osimhen in the squad due to fitness issues, Nigeria managed just four points from fifteen.

The Galatasaray forward has been pivotal for both club and country, scoring six times in World Cup qualifying, including a sensational hat-trick in a 4-0 rout of Benin’s Cheetahs. 

His Champions League exploits have been equally impressive, netting six goals in three matches for his Turkish side. 

Speaking to Channels Television, Idah said: "Naturally we should win. In the last 60 years we've played games against Gabon, they've only beaten us once, so we have an advantage and we are Nigeria.

"I'm so proud to be part of this great country, we've produced potential. We have everything we need to succeed. We should beat Gabon, the next game is what matters.

"Again, that's why this game is so vital that the minds of the players should have been very ready.

“We are coming from a 4-goal victory which we have not scored over the months, and we got to that momentum. Thank God we have a talisman in Osimhen, he's scoring goals. We would win.”

At the rate Osimhen is scoring goals, he has been tipped to break Nigeria's goalscoring record held by Rashidi Yekini within one year.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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