Former Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi, has urged Victor Osimhen to maintain his top form as Nigeria intensifies its bid for qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Sports247 reports.
Speaking on his Obi One Podcast, the former Chelsea midfielder emphasized the Napoli striker’s vital role in Nigeria’s qualification journey ahead of the CAF African playoffs in Morocco later this month.
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“Osimhen was absolutely brilliant! Yes, it was against Benin, but you still have to score a hat-trick. It was our biggest game of the season,” Mikel said. “If we didn’t win that game, we wouldn’t even be talking about trying to qualify for the World Cup now.”
Mikel praised Osimhen’s leadership and determination, describing him as the “big boy” in the team who always steps up when it matters most.
“Victor has singlehandedly kept us alive. When the pressure is on, the big players deliver — and that’s exactly what he has done. But he still has to keep showing up,” he added.
Osimhen’s heroics came on Matchday 10 of the qualifiers, where he netted a stunning hat-trick against Benin Republic, lifting Nigeria to 17 points, level with the Cheetahs.
A late strike from Frank Onyeka sealed a crucial victory that moved the Super Eagles ahead of Uganda and Burkina Faso, placing them among the best second-placed teams across the nine qualifying groups.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s turbulent qualifying campaign, Mikel commended the team’s resilience amid ongoing Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) controversies.
“Our World Cup dream is still alive,” Mikel noted. “Before the last two games, I said it — no matter the issues with the FA or the negativity around, those matches were must-wins, and the boys did that.”
The 2013 AFCON winner also underscored Osimhen’s importance to the team, pointing out the stark difference in results when the striker is absent.
“The number of games we’ve won with him compared to those without him is incredible,” Mikel concluded, expressing confidence that Nigeria can reach the Intercontinental Playoffs if Osimhen continues to deliver on big occasions.
Nigeria will face Gabon in the CAF Playoff semi-final on November 15 in Morocco. A victory will set up a final showdown against the winner of Cameroon vs DR Congo, with the eventual champion earning Africa’s ticket to the Intercontinental Playoff in Mexico next March.
