Super Eagles head coach, Emmanuel Amuneke (often referred to as 'Chelle'), faces a tactical dilemma as a former international star has publicly dissected the main weakness of his star striker, Victor Osimhen. This revelation comes just hours before Nigeria's pivotal second group match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
Babayaro's Critical Analysis of Osimhen's Game
Legendary former Nigeria defender, Celestine Babayaro, has pointed to a recurring issue in Victor Osimhen's play. The ex-Chelsea and Newcastle United star identified poorly timed runs and a lack of spatial awareness as the Napoli forward's primary shortcomings. Babayaro, 47, explained that Osimhen often makes his move before his teammates release the ball, leading to frequent offside calls.
"Strikers have to time their runs and get them right," Babayaro stated. "Victor Osimhen moves a bit too early during matches and most times is not even aware of where his marker is. He tends to run without checking, which is why he is constantly flagged offside." The former Anderlecht player highlighted that this was not a new problem, recalling that Osimhen had three goals ruled out for offside during the previous AFCON edition in Ivory Coast.
A Contrarian View from the Press Box
However, not everyone agrees with Babayaro's assessment. Prominent Nigerian sports journalist, Sadiq Adebara, has offered a counter-argument, shifting the blame away from the striker. In an exclusive interview, Adebara contended that the midfielders and wingers are responsible for the offside issues, as they often delay their passes unnecessarily.
Adebara drew parallels with legendary quick strikers like Michael Owen and Ruud van Nistelrooy, noting that their teammates learned to release the ball early to exploit their pace. "Osimhen is a goal poacher and by now his teammates should have understood his pattern because he can overrun defenders," Adebara argued, suggesting the service to the forward is at fault.
The Stakes for Nigeria's AFCON Campaign
This debate intensifies the spotlight on Osimhen ahead of the crucial Group C encounter. The Super Eagles are set to face group leaders Tunisia at the Complexe Sportif de Fez on Saturday, December 27, with kick-off at 9 PM Nigerian time. Nigeria secured a 2-1 win against Tanzania in their opener on December 23, with goals from Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman, but Osimhen failed to score despite several chances, including one disallowed by VAR.
The striker's frustration was evident when he was substituted during the Tanzania match, a moment captured by cameras. As Nigeria prepares to battle the Carthage Eagles, all eyes will be on whether Osimhen can silence his critics and adjust his game, or if the team's creative players will adapt their passing to suit his explosive style.
