Former Super Eagles’ striker, Odion Jude Ighalo has given his voice in support of the growing demand for Galatasaray of Turkey hitman, Victor Osimhen to emerge as the next captain of Nigeria’s national team, Sports247 reports.
While Ighalo admitted that Osimhen is not the oldest player in the Eagles’ current squad, the retired star pointed out that the 2023 African Footballer of The Year is the most outspoken among them all.
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Ighalo, who played for Lyn Oslo of Norway, Granada of Spain, Udinese of Italy as well as Watford and Manchester United of England among other clubs during his active days, declared emphatically that Osimhen’s top form also makes him an ideal skipper for the Eagles.
The captain of Nigeria’s squad to the 2009 FIFA U20 World Cup in Egypt added during a social media chat with Super Eagles’ former media officer, Colin Udoh: “I will pick Victor Osimhen (to captain the Nigerian national team).
“He’s not the oldest player in the team, and there are people that are older than him there … like Simon, Iwobi, Ndidi and Awaziem … but Osimhen is doing well, and he’s in his prime.
“He also has the balls to make a demand and ask for what the team wants. Ndidi is not the talking type, and he’s a very calm guy. On the other hand, Osimhen is outspoken.”
Ighalo noted further that, aside from Osimhen’s ability to speak out on behalf of the team, the FIFA U17 World Cup gold medalist and top scorer also fires up his colleagues during games and draws a lot of respect with his efforts.
The AFCON 2019 top scorer added, “His goals also speak for him and he gingers the boys with his top performances. He even urges them on verbally during each game.
“He gesticulates and talks all the time. He’s ready to fight for the boys. He’ll speak to anybody that needs being spoken to, and he’ll make sure the players are okay.
“It’s not everybody that can do that, because the captain’s duty is not easy. Your neck is always on the line. Whatever the boys demand, it’s you that will put it forward to the NFF.
“If the NFF wants to come for anybody, it’s the captain they’ll go for first. But, with Osimhen, I’m sure he’s going to speak confidently for the team, and nothing will happen to him.”
Ighalo concluded with a view that Osimhen’s status as Nigeria’s most celebrated football star of the current generation makes him the best choice as captain, especially as he would not face any repercussions anytime, he speaks out boldly.
“Nothing will affect him, because he’s one of the biggest players in the team, if not the biggest. So, they won’t want to talk down on him.
“They’ll listen to him, because he’s doing well at his club and in the national team. When you are doing well, you have every power to make demands; and he’s in that position.
“I believe he has that character to step up and demand things for the team. Even at his young age, he can advise the players and urge them to follow him.
“He draws respect from his teammates, because he’s not only talking with his mouth but also showing how things should be done with his efforts on the pitch,” Ighalo submitted.
