Burkina Faso Technical Director Vincenzo Alberto Annese has highlighted the importance of Victor Osimhen to the Nigerian national team setup, SportPremi reports.
The Galatasaray striker stands second on the country’s all-time goalscoring list with 34 goals and is only three goals from matching Rashidi Yekini’s record.
At the 2025 African Cup of Nations, the 27-year-old has already scored three times and provided one assist for the Super Eagles, who have reached the last eight of the competition.
Osimhen’s importance to the team’s pattern of play cannot be understated as he also contributes more than goals when he leads the line.
His impact was greatly missed as Nigeria crashed out of World Cup qualification in November, when they were defeated on penalty shootout by DR Congo in the CAF playoff final, with Osimhen coming off at halftime of the clash with injury.
Nigeria face Algeria later today in their quarterfinal clash at the Stade de Marrakech, hoping for a victory to book their spot in the last four against host nation Morocco.
Vincenzo Alberto lauds Osimhen’s impact, names 2025 AFCON favourites
Speaking in an interview, the Italian who became Technical Director of Burkina Faso in October 2025, hailed Osimhen as a player who was capable of making a difference for his country.
“In attack, Nigeria has immense potential; they are among the favourites together with Côte d’Ivoire, but I see a more solid team. Then, the Super Eagles have Osimhen, who, for me, is the strongest centre-forward of the tournament. I had seen the World Cup qualifying matches, and when Osimhen came out, Nigeria changed their approach” the Italian revealed.
The 41-year-old also reflected on the tournament, naming Morocco and Ivory Coast among his favourites to lift the title.
The former have already qualified for the last four after defeating Cameroon 2-0 in the quarterfinals, while Ivory Coast will face Egypt in their own quarterfinal encounter.
“Over the years, intense migration flows have affected these two countries that border on the Northeast side of Côte d’Ivoire. Then they have Diallo, who is very strong”, the Vincenzo Alberto stated.
“Morocco are favourites not just because they are hosts. Of course, it is an extra help, but it also becomes a matter of pride.
“I like them a lot, they’re the only team in the tournament that loses the ball and immediately reassures. You can see that there is a project built over time. And they have Captain Hakimi and Neil El Aynaoui.
“Not to mention the current top scorer, Brahim Diaz. Here is the star. This tournament is also good for established champions”, he concluded.
