Nigerian top striker Victor Osimhen says he is honuored to be compared to some of African football legends.
Osimhen is enjoying a fine run of form over the last 18 months, which has seen him win on and off the pitch, and getting the headlines and accolades for his professionalism.
The 25 years old made a huge mark in Italy when he inspired Napoli to their first Serie A title in over three decades and crowned the success by winning the top scorer boot.
He has since gone on to win several individual awards, one of which is the coveted African Footballer of the Year prize after finishing tall ahead of Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi.
Seeing how he has been able to build his game and cave a name for himself in the football world, Osimhen says the comparisons with the legends also motivates him.
“It is a huge honour to be compared to some of our legends,” he tells Al Jazeera.
“It motivates me a lot. But what motivates me more is making my own way, achieving my own goals,” he maintained.
Osimhen leads the Super Eagles of Nigeria in their quest for a fourth continental title during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.
He missed out on the last edition of the Nations Cup in 2021, but he feels this year’s event will provide a platform for him to make up for lost time.
“Like I’ve said before, if I never win the AFCON for Nigeria, people will question me.
“And it would be justified: there is a lot of responsibility on me. I know that, and I’m not running away from it,” he added.
The Lagos born striker rose to fame when Nigeria won the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile, a tournament he finished as the golden boot winner with 10 goals.
He made his senior-level debut in June 2017 and went on to win bronze medal with the Eagles at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.
