Former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has tipped Victor Osimhen to lead the team as captain ahead of the 2025 African Cup of Nation, SportPremi reports.
The Nigerian national team has been without a captain since William Troost-Ekong retired ahead of the tournament in Morocco.
Ahmed Musa, who was also part of the leadership group at the last AFCON tournament also announced his retirement on Wednesday.
Head coach Eric Chelle is yet to name a leader with only few days to the tournament, but Osimhen as well as Wilfried Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon have been tipped to take over the captaincy role.
The Super Eagles face Tanzania, Tunisia and Gabon in group C of the African Cup of Nations, beginning their campaign against the former on the 23rd.
Ighalo Backs Osimhen for Captaincy Role
Former Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo who also played alongside Osimhen before his retirement, believes the Galatasaray striker is the ideal choice to lead the team forward.
The former Manchester United striker believes Osimhen has the fighting spirit and leadership qualities needed to guide the team.
When asked about his next choice of captain for the national team;
“Victor. Not because he’s the eldest player in the team, because we have the likes of Ndidi, Moses Simon, Awaziem and Alex Iwobi”, Ighalo admitted.
“There are people ahead of him, but because Osimhen is doing well, and has the balls to demand what the team wants. Ndidi is not the talking type; he’s a very calm guy, but Osimhen is outspoken.
“He’ll speak on behalf of the team, he’ll ginger the boys, fight for them, speak to anyone that needs to be spoken to, even in games.
“Being a captain is not easy because your neck is on the line. Whatever the team demands, the captain takes to the Federation, and if the Federation wants to pick a bone, it’ll be with the captain”, the 36-year-old continued.
“With him, I believe he can speak because he’s the biggest player in that team. I think they’ll listen to him and not talk down on him because he’s doing well.
“He’s not the eldest, but I believe he has the character to advise the team and talk to them. When you see him fighting, you, as a player, will want to emulate that,” Ighalo concluded.
