Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka has declared that striker Victor Osimhen operates on a different plane, asserting that defenders at the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be intimidated by the Napoli star's mere presence.
Osimhen's Formidable Reputation
In an interview with BBC Sport Africa, Onyeka, who played alongside Osimhen in the 2023 AFCON final loss to Cote d'Ivoire, heaped praise on his teammate. He emphasized that Osimhen's status as one of the world's elite forwards grants Nigeria a significant psychological advantage even before matches begin.
"He's such an amazing player," Onyeka stated. "He's a guy who wants to fight for every single ball. For me, I think the defenders are scared of him. Victor is on another level."
The 26-year-old Osimhen, who scored only once during the 2023 tournament, has since cemented his legacy, now sitting second on Nigeria's all-time scoring list with 31 goals in 45 appearances, trailing only the late legend Rashidi Yekini.
Nigeria's Struggle Without Their Star
Onyeka highlighted the team's palpable dependence on Osimhen, pointing to recent qualifying campaigns. The Super Eagles managed just four points from a possible 15 in 2026 World Cup qualifiers when Osimhen was unavailable, a key factor in their failed qualification bid.
This vulnerability was further exposed in the World Cup play-off against DR Congo. Onyeka admitted that the dynamic shifted when Osimhen was forced off at halftime. "Missing Victor going into the second half changed a bit," he said. "Even one of the players from Congo said the same. When Victor left, it gave the defenders a bit of rest, and then they could relax a bit."
Onyeka's Personal Journey and AFCON Motivation
While discussing the team, Onyeka also opened up about his personal challenges and growth. Despite being a key figure for Nigeria, the 27-year-old has found playing time scarce at his club, Brentford, under new manager Keith Andrews, following a loan spell at Bundesliga's Augsburg.
During his time in Germany, Onyeka focused on mental fortitude, adopting mindfulness techniques to enhance his performance. "I try to do that every day, but most times I do it before games, just to prepare myself," he revealed, describing a routine of focused breathing in his room and at halftime to stay settled.
Although he didn't score in 34 appearances for Augsburg, his crucial goals for Nigeria—a 91st-minute equalizer against Benin and another in the defeat to DR Congo—proved his value. "I've been looking to get goals into my profile," he acknowledged.
With World Cup qualification missed, Onyeka says the immense talent within the squad is now channeled towards a single goal in Morocco. "It's a motivation for us to go into AFCON and win it and bring it back home," he concluded, setting the stage for Nigeria's redemption quest at AFCON 2025.
