Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro defends Victor Osimhen after the Serie A top scorer failed to score in the AFCON 2023 qualifiers double clash against Guinea Bissau.

Nigeria lost to Guinea at home before beating the Djurtus by the same scoreline on Monday afternoon.

Before the double tie, many were waiting to see Osimhen showcasing his talent as he is on fire in club at the moment.

However, nor did the 24-year old striker score nor did he assist in both matches.

While he is under criticism, his coach Jose Peseiro stepped up to defend him saying he feels more the pression with Nigeria shirt.

Read more : Super Eagles bounce back against Guinea Bissau to top Group A

“Victor is among the top scorers in Europe but it happens. Sometimes people complain about the players, it’s not true they are not committed. The players come here and feel the pressure, they feel the stress,” Peseiro said.

“Osimhen came here to fight for our shirt, for the Super Eagles. Osimhen now feels the pressure more with our national team than in Napoli, it’s not good.

“I spoke with him, the first match, he started the match in Nigeria. He started feeling the pressure – I need to score, I need to do everything well.

“When a player puts it in his mind I need to do everything well, sometimes he doesn’t do well, but he made a fantastic sacrifice.

“When our players put on the shirt to defend the Super Eagles, they are under more pressure. The fans, and people need to understand that. They feel too much pressure because they want to do well for the country, family, flag, and Super Eagles. That moment, they commit more mistakes, and they don’t do things well.”