Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has issued a warning to rival teams, insisting that Nigeria will be a tough side to beat at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, SportPremi reports.
The three-time African champions are set to take on Mozambique in the round of 16 on Monday, in a crucial clash that will decide who advances to the quarter-finals of the tournament.
Nigeria finished top of Group C, breezing past Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda with a 100% record, underlining their status as one of the favourites for the title.
Eric Chelle’s men also scored eight times during the group phase – the most at the tournament, on their way to reaching the knockout rounds.
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The Super Eagles alongside Algeria, were the only two teams to end the group stage with a flawless record and both teams could face-off in the last eight in Morocco.
Osimhen confident in Nigeria’s chances
Victor Osimhen has scored once so far for Nigeria at the 2025 African Cup of Nations, taking him to only five goals behind Rashidi Yekini in the country’s all-time goalscoring chart.
The 27-year-old was part of the side that won silver medal in Ivory Coast two years ago and believes they are fully ready to secure glory this time around.
“Yes, I would count my country as one of the favourites. We are one of the most feared teams in this tournament. Any team can come and play us. If they are good, they can scale through, but if they are not we can trample on any team because this team has got the quality to do damage to any big team, any good team in this tournament,” Osimhen stated.
“We respect every team that progresses to the next round and any one we meet in the next round they are going to see the fighting spirit of Nigeria.
“The round of 16 is going to be even tougher than the group stages so the boys are ready to give everything. But the team is ready to face any opponent. We respect any team that scales through but we are not scared of anybody.”
On what winning the AFCON would mean
“It will mean a lot, not just to me, to the whole team, but to Nigeria. It has been a long time since this trophy came to Nigeria and the boys, every training, we are passing a clear message that we came here to get the trophy”, he continued.
“I want it as bad as every other country that came to win it. Just like the rest of my teammates, that is why we come together to try to make sure that we achieve this objective.
“We don’t get carried away by the hype. We still got a lot of work to do, we are going game by game, not letting each win get us carried away”, the Super Eagles talisman concluded.
Osimhen will be hoping for a better showing in front of goal when Nigeria take to the field against Mozambique in their round of 16 clash on Monday.
