Osimhen named new Eagles penalty taker

Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has hailed Victor Osimhen for his leadership qualities and confirmed the Napoli striker as the team’s first-choice penalty taker.

He takes over the role from Odion Ighalo, who last featured for the Eagles against Ghana in March, during the 2022 World Cup play-off.

Osimhen stole the show scoring four goals for the Eagles as they annihilated Sao Tome and Principe 10-0 at the Stade Adrar in their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations

Group A qualifier in Agadir, Morocco last Monday.

But the forward passed up a chance to score his fifth of the game to substitute Emmanuel Dennis, who broke his scoring duck for the team in what was his sixth appearance.

The move, however, was commended by Peseiro, who lauded the Napoli striker as a “player with a heart.”

The former Lille striker also made two assists in the encounter as the Eagles moved top of Group A with six points ahead of Guinea Bissau, who have four points from two games.

“Osimhen is a leader in his personality and could have scored five goals against Sao Tome as I have appointed Osimhen as our designated penalty taker,” the Portuguese coach said.

“But he gave Dennis the opportunity to score, I like his humility, he’s a good guy with a big heart and I appreciate it.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal are leading the race to sign Osimhen after the north London club reportedly returned with an improved bid for the Nigerian striker.

The Nigerian, who scored 18 times and made six assists in 32 games last season, is also on the radar of other top European clubs.

Italian giants Napoli placed a €100m (£86m) price tag on the highly-rated 23-year-old striker.