AFCON 2023: Osimhen poised to outshine Salah at Africa's showpiece tournament

Victor Osimhen will head to AFCON with Nigeria as the nation's most dangerous weapon. 

The Super Eagles have been drawn in Group A alongside Equatorial Guinea, hosts Ivory Coast, and Guinea-Bissau.

Osimhen, reigning African footballer of the year, will be expected to lead the Super Eagles as far as possible in a bid to win the tournament for the first time since 2013.

Jose Peseiro's 4-4-2 is perfect for the Napoli man, as it allows him to focus on being the ultimate box threat that he is. 

His ability to find the net has never been in question, as evidenced by his 31-goal season for Napoli and his extremely efficient output in the 2023-24 season, so far.

Osimhen is averaging 3.63 shots per game and has scored 7 league goals from an xG of 6.7, highlighting his supreme efficiency in front of goal.

Mohamed Salah is arguably the tournament's best player, but the spaces afforded in African football vary from what the Egyptian is used to in the Premier League. The strength and physicality of AFCON will suit Osimhen's game perfectly. 

Standing at 6 feet 1 inch tall, Osimhen possesses the strength and aerial ability to dominate in the air and win crucial headers, which makes him a potent threat during set-pieces and crosses into the box.

Salah may have the motivation of the AFCON heartbreak in 2022 (losing in the final to Senegal), but Osimhen will be surrounded by better weapons, giving him the best platform to thrive.