A London-based journalist with Nigerian heritage, Tashan Deniran-Alleyne has come out with a strong hint that Galatasaray of Turkey striker, Victor Osimhen will captain the Super Eagles against Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday.
Sports247 gathered that Deniran-Alleyne, who is often referred to as ‘an Arsenal writer,’ cited the fact that Eagles’ stand-in captain, Wilfred Onyinyen Ndidi is suspended from Sunday’s final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup play-offs in Rabat, Morocco.
Read Also: Ndidi Will Support Super Eagles Mentally Against DR Congo – Chelle
While substantive captain, William Troost-Ekong is available for selection, he has been left-out of the starting line for two of the Eagles’ last three games, following his costly blunder that allowed Zimbabwe force a 1-1 draw with Nigeria in Uyo.
Troost-Ekong also scored an own goal in a crucial fixture away to South Africa, making the Eagles settle for a 1-1 draw from a game in which they needed maximum points to upstage Bafana Bafana in the tussle for the group’s top spot and sole automatic ticket to the Mundial.
With Ndidi unavailable and Troost-Ekong out of favour, the focus should ordinarily shift towards Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi to step in, especially as both have previously donned the skipper’s band sparingly, but Deniran-Alleyne inferred that Eagles’ coach, Eric Sekou Chelle might hand it to Osimhen because of the hitman’s unmistakable leadership qualities during matches.
Deniran-Alleyne, who reportedly established Alex Iwobi Fans Club during the midfield dazzler’s days with The Gunners, and was a media volunteer at London Youth Games, noted that even Troost-Ekong hinted during his recent attack on former Watford captain, Troy Deeney, that Osimhen could be the next in line as Super Eagles’ captain.
The journalist with Nigerian ancestry, who also writes for London Evening Standard and london.football, revealed his hint about the Eagles’ next squad leader in an exhaustive report for The Standard newspaper, where his official designation is digital content editor.
Deniran-Alleyne wrote in part: “Victor Osinhen could be handed the chance to demonstrate his leadership skills when Nigeria take on DR Congo this weekend.
“The West African nation – who had to endure 120 minutes (in beating Gabon) – have suffered a blow ahead of the final showdown, with Wilfred Ndidi ruled out because of suspension.
“The former Leicester midfielder was shown a yellow card as early as the sixth minute for a foul on Gabon forward Denis Bouanga, and with that being his second booking in World Cup qualification, he must serve a one-match ban.
“As Ndidi will be unavailable for selection when Nigeria face DR Congo, it will force Eric Chelle into a change of personnel in midfield and choice of captain.
“In the absence of William Troost-Ekong, Ndidi captained Nigeria against Gabon but will not get the chance to do so again in Sunday’s play-off final.
“This leaves Chelle facing a decision regarding who will take the captain’s armband as Troost-Ekong is not assured of a recall given Benjamin Fredrick’s impressive performance at the heart of the Super Eagles’ defence.
“Therefore, it could be Osimhen who is handed the role of captain againsr DR Congo after being named by Troost-Ekong as one of the leaders in the Nigeria squad.”
