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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Osimhen and Drogba shared nice moment</li><li>Striker described former star as his "idol"</li><li>Their nations go head-to-head at AFCON</li></ul>

WATCH: Game recognises game! Chelsea target Victor Osimhen meets ‘idol’ Didier Drogba as pair share warm embrace before AFCON clash between Ivory Coast & Nigeria

The Nigeria and Napoli hitman met the ex-Ivory Coast star in the players' tunnel before the teams went out onto the field. Drogba put his arm around Osimhen before the pair hugged, shook hands and had a nice chat before they headed out.

WHAT HAPPENED?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Didier Drogba vient saluer Victor Osimhen et les Super Eagles 🦅🇨🇮🇳🇬 Vrai buteur reconnaît vrai buteur 😮‍💨<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/beINCAN2023?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#beINCAN2023</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/beINEXPERIENCE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#beINEXPERIENCE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AFCON2023?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AFCON2023</a> <a href="https://t.co/h6w4IgOFa5">pic.twitter.com/h6w4IgOFa5</a>— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) <a href="https://twitter.com/beinsports_FR/status/1748020338967884219?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

WATCH THE CLIP

Osimhen will have been delighted to see the former Chelsea star, having spoken about the honour of playing at the Africa Cup of Nations in the homeland <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/i-never-missed-a-drogba-match-thirsty-osimhen-targets-ending-nigeria-s-11-year-afcon-drought-in-his-icon-s-land/blt5d8d4e83b85e2a49#cs67e6912c72b61a78" target="_blank">of his role model</a>. He said recently: "Life is surprising, when I was younger, I never missed a Didier Drogba match. I imitated each of his gestures, and I did his celebration when I scored against my friends. Participating in AFCON in the native land of my idol is an honour for me. I have the impression of being reconnected in a certain way with the kid from Olusosun that I was and who had a lot of dreams, including that of one day being Africa champion."

WHAT OSIMHEN SAID ABOUT DROGBA

Drogba may have taken the opportunity to convince Osimhen to join Chelsea. The Blues have been linked to the striker and he could <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/victor-osimhen-write-great-chapter-england-like-didier-drogba-arsenal-man-city-emmanuel-adebayor-premier-league-transfer/blt28132ed5224e6535" target="_blank">look to follow in his hero's footsteps</a> by making the move to Stamford Bridge. Drogba won four Premier League and FA Cup trophies as well as a Champions League title during his time in west London.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Osimhen, 25, is unlikely to move to Chelsea this month given he signed a new contract that keeps him at Napoli until 2026. In the meantime, he will be fully concentrated on performing well at the 2023 AFCON as he looks to fire his country to a fourth continental trophy and their first since 2013.

WHAT NEXT FOR OSIMHEN?

WATCH: Game recognises game! Chelsea target Victor Osimhen meets ‘idol’ Didier Drogba as pair share warm embrace before AFCON clash between Ivory Coast & Nigeria | Goal.com

Victor Osimhen shared a warm embrace with his idol Didier Drogba ahead of Nigeria&apos;s Africa Cup of Nations clash against Ivory Coast on Thursday.

WATCH: Game recognises game! Chelsea target Victor Osimhen meets ‘idol’ Didier Drogba as pair share warm embrace before AFCON clash between Ivory Coast &amp; Nigeria