The importance of Galatasaray of Turkey striker, Victor Osimhen to Nigeria’s national team has once again been brought to their forefront, as he has been rated with a tag of ‘pivotal player’ in the Super Eagles’ line-up.
Sports247 reports that the verdict comes at a point when memory is still fresh with how the Super Eagles crumbled like a pack of cards when Osimhen could not continue the World Cup play-off final against DR Congo.
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Dramatically, the latest reminder that Nigeria’s team will fail to fly if Osimhen is not available has come from an analysis by BBC Sport, as they continue their countdown to the 35th Africa Cup of Nations.
The Super Eagles will fly into their Group C base in Fes, Morocco on Tuesday night, few hours after battling Egypt in a last-ditch build-up friendly, and Osimhen is the number one lad tipped to help Nigeria gun for a fourth continental title.
Tanzania will be the Eagles’ first opponent at AFCON 2025 and, while The Taifa Stars are not considered a threat to Nigeria’s title-winning aspirations, fans from Africa’s most populous country have been reminded that their team struggles against smaller sides whenever Osimhen is not available.
That reminder would make Nigerians start frenetic prayers that Osimhen will remain injury-free from start to finish at Maroc 2025, unlike what happened during the World Cup play-offs in the same north African country, where action begins in earnest on December 21st.
The verdict by BBC Sports stated in part: “Nigeria’s fortunes appear closely tied to the availability and form of the Galatasaray striker.
“The Super Eagles only took four points from a possible 15 when the 26-year-old was absent during their ultimately unsuccessful 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
“Osimhen is pivotal to the side’s play under Eric Chelle, and Nigeria lost their way in their World Cup play-off against DR Congo when he was forced off at half-time.
“Described by his teammate Frank Onyeka as being ‘on another level,’ Osimhen’s form will be crucial if Nigeria are to improve on their runners-up finish last time out in Ivory Coast.”
