Super Eagles legend Peter Rufai has disclosed what makes Victor Osimhen different from his teammates in the national team, hailing the Galatasaray striker as a rare talent who elevates the team whenever he plays.
Since his June 2017 debut, the reigning African Footballer of the Year has recorded 23 goals and 11 assists in 39 appearances, moving into second in Nigeria’s all-time goalscoring chart.
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Rufai reveals Osimhen’s Super Eagles success secret
His desire for goals and insistent drive have made him indispensable in the Super Eagles’ attack, a fact emphasized by the former Nigeria goalkeeper Rufai.
“When Osimhen comes into a team, he makes a difference,” Rufai told Completesports.
“It is not like the other players do not have their impact; they also make their impact. But I think that in life, being a champion, you just have to give everything; that’s an area where Osimhen is doing very well. He is always hungry for the goals and ready to give his best whenever he is called upon to represent the Super Eagles.
Without Osimhen, the strike Nigeria force falters, with strikers like Victor Boniface, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Umar Sadiq failing to deliver when under pressure in important matches.
Rufai acknowledged that, saying the weight of expectation probably exposes the other players.
”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,” the former Deportivo de La Coruña goalkeeper
added.
Meanwhile, Osimhen’s most recent international goal came in Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with Benin Republic earlier this month. His club form with Galatasaray has also been sensational, with eight goals and four assists in just ten games across all competitions this season.
While others may struggle to meet the expectations, Osimhen thrives, driven by an unrelenting commitment to excellence and a passion for delivering when it matters most.
