Victor Osimhen has called on the Super Eagles to use the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a “healing ground” to restore the fractured bond between the national team and the Nigerian public.
Speaking from the team’s training base in Fez, the reigning African Footballer of the Year addressed the lingering shadow of Nigeria’s failed 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification. The Super Eagles’ absence from the global stage was sealed in a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to DR Congo last November—a result that left a football-mad nation in mourning.
For Osimhen, the tournament in Morocco is about more than just silverware; it is a debt of honor to the supporters.
“We really understand their frustration,” Osimhen admitted. “We gave everything to qualify for the World Cup, but penalties are sometimes about luck. Now we have the opportunity to win back the hearts of our fans.”
The striker expressed deep gratitude to the “loyalists” who remained steadfast during the team’s lowest point. “This AFCON is a chance to rewrite our wrongs, and we are ready to give our all,” he asserted.
The Road Ahead: Group C
Nigeria’s path to redemption begins Tuesday at the Fez Stadium. Placed in a competitive Group C, the Super Eagles must navigate a tricky opening schedule.
Beyond the collective goal, Osimhen faces his own statistical hurdle. While his international record is elite—boasting 31 goals in 46 appearances—his AFCON output has remained uncharacteristically low. With only one goal across the 2019 and 2024 editions, the talismanic forward is under pressure to translate his club form into a clinical tournament performance.
As the Super Eagles prepare to take the pitch, the mission is clear: move past the heartbreak of the past and reclaim their status as the giants of African football.
