Nigerian football fans and analysts are beginning to ask questions of doubt over the possibility of Victor Osimhen succeeding as the Super Eagles’ next captain.
Sports247 gathered that heavy clouds of doubt have been raised in that regard following Osimhen’s inability to maintain his top form when he captained the Eagles against Uganda and Morocco at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
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In contrast with his usually energetic efforts, spirited runs at goal and massive aerial threats when he is without the Eagles’ band, Osimhen appeared lame in both matches he led the team as skipper of the side.
Interestingly, the Galatasaray of Turkey striker also got replaced in both games, as the Eagles’ technical crew apparently tacitly admitted that the team leader on the pitch failed to live up to expectations.
Nigeria ended up losing their semi-finals clash with the host nation on Wednesday, but the most alarming observation was that Osimhen did not control the ball once, did not have a single shot on goal and did not give any pass before he went off in extra time.
However, the signs had been there all along that the 2023 African Footballer of The Year might not turn up as a good substantive captain for the Eagles when he laboured to impose himself on the Ugandans in a dead rubber last group match, which Nigeria later won 3-1.
Ironically, the Ugandans’ only goal of that game came after they had their goalkeeper sent off, but the major lapse for Nigeria was that the Eagles attack was blunt on that day and the team relied on a midfielder, Raphael Onyedika, to net a brace.
It was further observed that Osimhen, who is usually seen running all across the pitch, gesticulating and clearly giving verbal bursts to his colleagues, was laid back during both games under review.
However, Eagles’ coach, Eric Chelle, explained that Osimhen’s withdrawal in Wednesday’s game was not a tactical move but due to fitness issues, as the gaffer said: “Victor had a small injury in his ankle and that’s why we brought in Paul (Onuachu).”
