Nigeria boss Eric Chelle can breathe a sigh of relief after his bold, some might say risky call to play Victor Osimhen against Uganda didn’t backfire. The star striker, one booking away from a suspension, came through unscathed and without a yellow card as the Super Eagles wrapped up Group C with a 3-1 win.
Chelle made eight changes for the dead rubber in Fez, but kept Osimhen in the lineup and even handed him the captain’s armband. The Napoli hitman played nearly the full 90 minutes in a relatively quiet outing, before being subbed off late on. Goals from Paul Onuachu and a Raphael Onyedika brace sealed the win, with Uganda having ‘keeper Salim Magoola sent off after the break.
Many expected Osimhen to be wrapped in cotton wool. He’d picked up a minor knock in the dramatic win over Tunisia, and was walking a disciplinary tightrope. Along with Stanley Nwabali, Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman, he was one yellow away from missing the last 16. The others were rested; Osimhen was thrust into the action. “We wanted to keep rhythm, keep momentum,” Chelle said afterwards. “Victor is a warrior, he wanted to play. We assessed him and he was fine.”
The gamble appears to have paid off. Osimhen avoided a booking and didn’t seem to aggravate his knock, meaning he’s set to lead the line in Monday’s knockout tie. Nigeria will face the third place finisher from Group F likely Cameroon or Mozambique back in Fez. The cards have now been wiped clean for the last 16, a major boost for Chelle’s plans.
There were some concerns elsewhere, mind. Debutant Ryan Alebiosu was hospitalised with a deep leg cut, and striker Cyriel Dessers is set for a scan on a thigh issue. But the main headline is Osimhen’s availability. With their talisman cleared for action, Nigeria will fancy their chances as they aim to go deep in Morocco. The real tournament starts now.
