AFCON 2025: Eric Chelle warned against overreliance on Osimhen
Former Nigeria winger Tijani Babangida has cautioned Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle against what he calls a “dangerous” overreliance on Victor Osimhen ahead of AFCON 2025.
He insists Nigeria cannot build its ambitions for a fourth continental title around one player, no matter how influential.
Data exposes worrying dependency
Osimhen’s impact on the team is undisputed. With 31 goals in 43 games, he is closing in on Rashidi Yekini’s all-time record, and Nigeria’s results reflect his importance.
With him available, the Super Eagles have lost just five of 40 matches. Without him, they have suffered 11 defeats in 29.
That gulf showed during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Nigeria failed to win any of their first four games while Osimhen was injured.
His return brought six goals in six matches and a haul of 14 points, yet the team still fell behind South Africa in the race for automatic qualification.
Collapse against Congo reveals wider structural issue
Osimhen inspired Nigeria past Gabon in the playoff, but when he limped off in the final versus DR Congo, the team fell apart and eventually lost on penalties.
Babangida says moments like that highlight a system too dependent on the striker.
Speaking to Tribal Football, he said Chelle must “fix” the issue and build a squad capable of performing with or without the Galatasaray forward.
He added that every player selected must take responsibility and maintain performance levels irrespective of Osimhen’s availability.
Mentality shift needed ahead of AFCON 2025
Babangida stressed that injuries are part of football and Osimhen’s absence should not “throw the Super Eagles into a mess.”
He urged the coach to instil confidence across the squad, particularly among the attackers, so the team can operate effectively even when their talisman is unavailable.
Nigeria face Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania in Group C, opening their AFCON 2025 campaign on December 23 against Tanzania.
