AFCON: ‘Pressure too much on Osimhen’ – Peseiro told to play Iheanacho

The 2000 African Cup of Nations silver medallist Benedict Akwuegbu demanded on Monday that Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho be included in the Super Eagles squad for their quarterfinal matchup with Angola on Friday.

In a Monday interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Akwuegbu stated as much.

He suggested that Peseiro investigate Iheanacho’s midfield abilities.


“The Super Eagles of Nigeria outperformed our expectations in the game against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon,” stated Akwuegbu.

The Super Eagles simply need to play better as a unit and improve their midfield. They possess the necessary skills. Nigeria may advance far in the competition and most likely win it with this squad.

In my opinion, Iheanacho’s expertise is crucial for the Super Eagles to lessen Victor Osimhen’s goal-scoring load. I do argue that Osimhen is under too much pressure when people discuss his lack of goals.


“Osimhen is a terrific guy with excellent goal-scoring instincts; his inventiveness on the team has been impressive thus far, but as a lone striker, the pressure is too much on him.”

“I think the team needs Iheanacho to ease the burden on Osimhen, playing with a lone striker with Osimhen in the front has put a lot of pressure on him,” Akwuegbu stated emphatically.

Iheanacho is the ideal player to play as an attacking midfielder or behind Osimhen.


“When we have won AFCON, we have typically employed two forwards, either in 2013 with Emmanuel Emenike and Brown Ideye or during Rashidi Yekini’s tenure.

The burden of scoring goals versus Angola will be divided if Osimhen has more space to work with. If we use two attackers or an aggressive midfielder with a goal instinct, we have nothing to lose,” he declared.