Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-16 03:50:24
According to former Green Eagles winger, Adegoke Adelabu, the decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Technical Group to exclude Super Eagles player, Victor Osimhen, from the list of the Best 11 at the end of the 34th African Cup of Nations is justified. Osimhen, who currently holds the title of African Footballer of the Year, was expected to be the leading goal scorer in Cote d’Ivoire, but only managed to score one goal, which was the equaliser against Equatorial Guinea. Despite being anticipated as the star player of the AFCON, Osimhen was not included in the CAF Technical Study Group’s tournament-best 11.
Speaking to The Guardian, Adelabu, a former player of Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan, stated, “We could see that Osimhen was not among the best in Africa, which means he did not meet the criteria to be considered one of the best in Africa. Past achievements are not enough to meet the current challenges. Osimhen needs to elevate his performance and adhere to instructions.”
While CAF overlooked the Napoli striker, three of his Super Eagles teammates made the list. They are Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong, and Ademola Lookman. Ekong was named the most valuable player of the tournament, marking the first time a defender has received this accolade. He also became the first player to score against Cote d’Ivoire in an AFCON final match, breaking the previous trend of goalless finals involving Cote d’Ivoire.
Adelabu’s comments reflect the belief that Osimhen’s performance did not meet the standards required to be recognized as one of the best players in Africa at the AFCON. Despite his previous success, Osimhen failed to deliver as expected during the tournament, resulting in his omission from the Best 11 list. In contrast, his teammates Aina, Troost-Ekong, and Lookman were acknowledged for their contributions to the Super Eagles’ performance at the AFCON.
Adelabu’s opinion underscores the need for players to consistently perform at their best and meet the high standards required to be recognized as top players in Africa. Osimhen’s underwhelming performance at the AFCON means he must strive to improve and excel in future tournaments. As a former player himself, Adelabu’s insights provide valuable perspective on the expectations and demands placed on footballers competing at the highest level in African football.
Ultimately, Adelabu’s assessment of Osimhen’s performance at the AFCON and the subsequent exclusion from the Best 11 list aligns with the CAF Technical Group’s decision. The criteria for selection are based on performance and impact during the tournament, and Osimhen’s failure to meet these standards led to his omission from the prestigious list. His omission serves as a reminder to all footballers that consistent and impactful performances are essential to be recognized as top players in African football.
