During the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka shared valuable insights about his opponent, André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, during Nigeria’s 2-0 victory over Cameroon in the round of 16. Onyeka disclosed that his Napoli teammate, Victor Osimhen, informed him about Anguissa’s preference for short passes over long ones prior to the crucial match.
In an interview with The Hindsight Podcast, Onyeka stated, “Osimhen told me that [Anguissa] likes to play short, short passes and tries to connect. He doesn’t play long so when he gets the ball I try to close him as much as possible.” Furthermore, Onyeka emphasized the team’s strategic approach to limit Anguissa’s effectiveness on the field, noting, “even Alex [Iwobi]…doesn’t play long passes. He only tries to connect with the strikers with short passes.”
Reflecting on his performance, Onyeka expressed satisfaction with his contributions in neutralizing Anguissa’s playing style, stating, “It has been good, I try to do my job as much as I can so I guess it’s working well so far. I’m really, really glad.”
The revelation of Osimhen’s tactical advice and Onyeka’s successful implementation of this knowledge sheds light on the meticulous preparation and adaptability demonstrated by the Nigerian team during the tournament. With Nigeria advancing to the last-8 and set to face Angola, Onyeka’s strategic awareness and diligence on the field have undoubtedly played a pivotal role in the team’s ongoing success.
