By OLAYINKA OWOLEWA

Newly signed striker of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC, Malik Surajudeen, says he wants to be the next Victor Osimhen to come out of Nigeria.

The 17-year-old 1.82 meter tall attacker, who joined ABS Ilorin FC from La Planet Sport Academica, revealed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Ilorin.

Surajudeen told NAN that he has devoted a lot of time trying to watch and learn from Osimhen, who is arguably the best African player in the ongoing 2022/2023 season.

“I want to be the next Victor Osimhen, I love everything about him and his playing style.

“He is strong, fast, creative and score lot of goals. I have also read that he took him some time to burst into the global stage, so I’m ready to take my time too.

“Even though I have never met him, I see him already as a role model that I want to follow his footsteps.

“I want to be committed to my club (ABS), the way Osimhen is committed to his club and country,” Surajudeen said.

He said even though he like watching the duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, Osimhen remain his idol.

The striker said after his move to ABS, he is now focused on helping the Ilorin based Nigeria National League (NNL) side to gain promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

“It is tough here at ABS because we have a lot of young talented players, so, if you don’t work very hard, you may not be playing regularly.

“So, I’m aware that I need lots of discipline and hard work to achieve my goals. It is a new system completely at ABS and I’m looking forward to doing well for the team.

NAN recalls that 24-year-old Osimhen has been in spectacular form in the ongoing season scoring 21 times in 23 matches and assisted four times only in the Serie A.

Osimhen’s current form is on the brink of landing Napoli its first Serie A title since 1990, when it last won it. (NAN)