Soccer
Victor James Osimhen looks on during the Africa Cup Of Nations match between Tunisia and the Super Eagles of Nigeria at Fes Stadium on December 27, 2025 in Fes, Morocco. Photo by Thor Wegner/DeFodi ImagesxImago
Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has revealed that the Nigerian National team are ready to take on Mozambique in the next round of the AFCON 2025 tournament, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 27-year-old has played in all of Nigeria’s three games in Morocco, captaining Eric Chelle’s men to a 3-1 win against Uganda, a milestone feat for the Olusosun native.
The three-time AFCON Champions have now been drawn against Mozambique in the round of sixteen, and his confidence in his teammates is sky-high.
Osimhen mentioned the Super Eagles are one of the biggest teams on the African Continent, and other teams should, in fact, be shivering if they’re drawn against Nigeria.
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The former Napoli striker knows Nigeria are one of the favourites to win the AFCON title after coming second in Ivory Coast two years ago.
“Yes, I would count my country as one of the favourites. We are one of the most feared teams in this tournament. Any team can come and play us,” the man who turned 27 three days ago told ESPN.
“If they are good, they can scale through, but if they are not, we can trample on any team because this team has got the quality to do damage to any big team, any good team in this tournament.
“We respect every team that progresses to the next round, and anyone we meet in the next round, they are going to see the fighting spirit of Nigeria.
“The round of 16 is going to be even tougher than the group stages, so the boys are ready to give everything. But the team is ready to face any opponent.
“We respect any team that scales through, but we are not scared of anybody. It will mean a lot, not just to me, to the whole team, but to Nigeria.
“It has been a long time since this trophy came to Nigeria, and the boys, every training, we are passing a clear message that we came here to get the trophy.
“I want it as badly as every other country that came to win it. Just like the rest of my teammates, that is why we come together to try to make sure that we achieve this objective.
With nine points from their opening three games, the ex-LOSC Lille striker is keen on keeping his teammates grounded.
“We don’t get carried away by the hype. We still have a lot of work to do,” Osimhen cautioned.
“We are going game by game, not letting each win get us carried away.
Victor Osimhen ends the year with 46 goals, ranking joint-5th among the world’s top scorers in 2025
Elite company ✨ pic.twitter.com/qbAmH84icq
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) December 31, 2025
Typically a feisty character due to his pressing and hunger for goals, Osimhen cut a more composed figure against Uganda, and he revealed that came as a result of his being captain for the day.
“It feels good. It comes with a huge responsibility, but I think I have gained some experience to be able to lead the team.
“Now I can see the reason why (team captain Wilfred) Ndidi feels so happy every time we win.
“The coach gave clear instructions for how he wanted us to play against Uganda.
“For me, it was important to lead the boys in the right way, to try to give them the motivation they need because for most of them this was the first game they started in this Afcon, so it was important to try to put them in the right frame of mind.
Eric Chelle opted to rotate against Uganda, given that his side would be heading into the next round as Group C leaders after victories in their first two games.
He brought in players Francis Uzoho, Ryan Alebiosu, Igoh Ogbu, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Moses Simon and Paul Onuachu.
However, Osimhen played 87 minutes against Paul Put’s side despite having a yellow card heading into the game, knowing an addition to his collection would’ve led to a suspension from the game against Mozambique.
Nigeria will face Mozambique in the round of 16 and Eric Chelle took a gamble playing Victor Osimhen against Uganda for as long as he did.
I asked him why he did do and this is his response:#EuphoriasAFCON #AFCON2025— Joy Ojeabulu (@Euphoria_Sticks) December 31, 2025
The decision stunned many, but Chelle was firm and convinced he made the right decision by not giving the Galatasaray striker any rest. In the same vein, Osimhen agreed.
“I can’t question the coach’s tactics. If he wants me to play, I’m there. If he puts me on the bench and lets others play, I’m okay with that, too.
“I don’t care about the yellow card. Whenever I’m called upon to play, I have to accept the call. I just do what I needed to do, and when it was time to get me off the pitch, he did,” he concluded.
Amas Obasogie, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Salim Fago and Cyriel Dessers were unable to get minutes against Uganda and are the only players from the 28-man squad who’ve not featured in the AFCON 2025 tournament.
Chelle confirmed the former Rangers striker suffered a thigh injury, while Ryan Alebiosu is out of the tournament with a deep leg cut.
Adefolahan Guerreiro
Adefolahan is a multilingual sports journalist and football writer whose work spans outlets like Soccernet Nigeria, Pure Football UK, and Royalsportz.
With a sharp eye for detail and a background in college sports, he tells the African football story with depth, flair, and global perspective.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and German, he brings a cross-cultural voice to his coverage, blending insight with accessibility for readers around the world.
His portfolio includes interviews with top Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, Sikiru Alimi, Sodiq Ismaila, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.
A devoted Borussia Dortmund fan, Adefolahan thrives on the emotion and rhythm of the beautiful game. Away from work, he’s a sci-fi enthusiast and series lover who enjoys exploring how sport, storytelling, and culture collide.
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