Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has praised Victor Osimhen’s influence in the squad, describing the striker as one of the world’s finest as they prepare to face DR Congo on Sunday, SportPremi reports.
Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo face-off at the Moulay Hassan Stadium on Sunday night in the final of the CAF playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Super Eagles recorded a 4-1 win over Gabon in their semifinal clash last Thursday, while the Leopards eliminated Cameroon 1-0 in the other clash on the same day.
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Victor Osimhen netted twice in that encounter, while he also scored a remarkable treble in the 4-0 thrashing of Benin Republic, taking his tally to five goals in his last teo games for Nigeria.
The winner of the clash goes on to face any country from Asia, Oceania, South America or North America in the intercontinental playoff rounds scheduled for next year.
What the Nigeria captain said
William Troost-Ekong started the win over Gabon on the bench, before coming on in extra-time as Nigeria saw out a dominant win.
Akor Adams, Chidera Ejuke and Victor Osimhen (2), all scored in that encounter to seal Nigeria spot against DR Congo.
In his media duties ahead of the clash, Ekong acknowledged and stressed the importance of Osimhen to the Super Eagles squad.
“I don’t always feel comfortable singling out players, but Victor is a very special player”, Ekong revealed.
“For me, he’s the best forward in the World right now, and I can’t just put that down to the last goals that he’s scored over these past two games because I think consistently, he’s brought so much to the team over the past two years that he’s been the main forward for Nigeria.”
Ekong on Osimhen’s remarkable development
“Going back to his first camp with us, during the 2019 AFCON, he’s gained some great experience, but he’s been the same player who has been so hungry from the start”, he continued.
“I think now, his confidence has grown, and he’s perfected his skills, but the actual thing that makes Victor a standout player for me is the hunger and determination he had from day one and probably has been part of his upbringing and who he is as a person, so, it’s great to have a player like that in the team.
“He’s also grown to become an important player and leader in the team, and I think that his legacy would be big for Nigeria.
“But he needs other players around him; he’s not playing alone, because I think sometimes that’s also forgotten, but he’s done very well,” Ekong concluded.
Osimhen closing in on Yekini’s record
Victor Osimhen took his goal tally for the Nigerian national team to 31 with his brace against Gabon last Thursday.
The forward is now six goal shy off all-time topscorer Rashidi Yekini (37) and could edge closer with another strike in Sunday’s clash.
At only 26, with plenty of football still ahead of him, it feels like a matter of when not if the Galatasaray striker breaks the record.
