Bright Osayi-Samuel described Nigeria’s dramatic 3–2 victory over Tunisia as a test of character after the Super Eagles secured qualification to the next round following a tense encounter on Saturday night, Bold Sports reports.
He revealed that pre-match comments from the Tunisian camp had provided extra motivation for the Nigerian players, who were determined to respond with their performance on the pitch.
“It was a great win,” Osayi-Samuel told reporters “I think it was a statement win. What the Tunisia manager said before the game that he promised they were going to win was something we took personally. We had to make sure that would never happen.”
Nigeria appeared to be cruising for much of the contest before a nervy late spell saw Tunisia score twice, including a penalty that shifted the momentum of the game and tested the Super Eagles’ resolve.
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“For me personally, it was painful because I didn’t think it was a penalty,” Osayi-Samuel explained. “I’ve looked back at it, and I don’t think there was much I could do. But once that happened, we had to fight back and make sure they didn’t score a third, and we did.”
The 26-year-old admitted the team would have preferred a more comfortable finish but stressed that seeing out the result under pressure was just as important as their attacking display.
“Of course, it would have been better if we didn’t concede,” he added. “But that’s football, and we look to the next game now.”
With qualification now secured, Nigeria will face Uganda next, and Osayi-Samuel insists the Super Eagles will approach the game with the same intensity.
“Yes, we’ve qualified, but every game is just as important,” he said. “Each match comes with new experiences, and we want to keep making a statement to every team. We’re looking forward to the next game and making sure we perform as well as we did today.”
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