Exclusive: Osimhen Brings Different Dimension To Eagles—Rufai

Former Nigerian international Peter Rufai has disclosed that Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen makes a big difference each time he dons the national team colours.

Osimhen has missed a few games due to injuries, omission from the matchday squad, or not being called up to the team. The overall trend of results in those games suggests Nigeria’s attack operated not quite at peak level when shorn of his presence and attributes upfront.

The Nigerian international has scored 23 goals and provided 11 assists in 39 matches for the national team since his debut in June 2017.

Speaking with Completesports.com, Rufai stated that despite having other strikers in the Super Eagles, the Galatasaray star brings a different dimension to the team whenever he’s on the field of play.

“We also have other players who can play when Osimhen is not there. The point is that when Osimhen comes into a team, he makes a difference. It is not like the other players do not have their impact; they also make their impact.

“But don’t forget in life that to be a champion, you just have to give everything, and that is an area where Osimhen is doing very well. He’s always hungry for goals and ready to give his best whenever he is called upon to represent the Super Eagles.

“Other players that play in the same position with him may experience a bad day, and the fact that the match is important to the fans, that player that doesn’t function happens to be in the spotlight.

“Football is something that comes differently; when it comes rough, we try to see how to manage that roughness and turn it into good. But not every time it works.”