Victor Osimhen “On another level,” Onyeka warns defenders ahead of AFCON 2025
Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka has described teammate Victor Osimhen as a player “on another level,” warning that opposition defenders at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will struggle to contain the Nigerian striker.
Onyeka and Osimhen are part of the squad aiming to redeem Nigeria’s image after their 2023 AFCON final defeat to hosts Ivory Coast, a match both players started.
Osimhen, 26, has now scored 31 goals in 45 appearances for Nigeria, placing him second on the country’s all-time goalscoring list behind Rashidi Yekini.
“He’s such an amazing player. He’s a guy who wants to fight for every single ball. I think the defenders are scared of him. Victor is on another level,” Onyeka told BBC Sport Africa.
Osimhen’s influence on Nigeria
Onyeka highlighted Osimhen’s impact during Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers, noting the team struggled in his absence.
In the play-off against DR Congo, Nigeria’s performance suffered after Osimhen was forced off at halftime, giving the opponents a respite.
“Missing Victor going into the second half changed a bit. Even one of the players from Congo said the same. When Victor left, it gave the defenders a bit of rest, and they could relax,” Onyeka said.
Despite challenges at club level, including limited playtime at Brentford and a loan spell at Augsburg, Osimhen’s contributions remain pivotal for Nigeria.
Onyeka’s own journey
While Onyeka’s club career faced hurdles, he focused on mental preparation and mindfulness techniques to maintain composure on the field.
He admitted disappointment over Nigeria missing World Cup qualification but described it as motivation for AFCON.
“I’ve been looking to get goals into my profile. It’s sad that we didn’t qualify for the World Cup, given the talent we have. But it’s motivation for us to go into AFCON and win it and bring it back home,” he said.
