Nigerian midfielder Frank Onyeka has declared striker Victor Osimhen operates on an entirely different echelon of football, asserting that opposing defenders at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) will approach matches with inherent fear. The Brentford player, speaking to BBC Sport Africa, emphasized the psychological advantage Osimhen’s formidable reputation provides even before the opening whistle.
The Super Eagles squad arrives in Morocco burdened by the memory of their heartbreaking defeat to Ivory Coast in the 2023 final, a match both Onyeka and Osimhen started. While Osimhen managed just a single goal during that tournament, his trajectory has since skyrocketed. The 26-year-old now stands as Nigeria’s second-highest all-time scorer with 31 goals in 45 appearances, trailing only the legendary Rashidi Yekini.
Onyeka detailed the transformative impact of Osimhen’s presence, contrasting it with Nigeria’s recent struggles in his absence. The team’s failed 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, where they secured a mere four points from fifteen without their star striker, and their subsequent playoff loss to DR Congo—a game where Osimhen’s halftime substitution shifted momentum—underscore his indispensability. “Even one of the players from Congo said the same,” Onyeka revealed. “When Victor left it gave the defenders a bit of rest.”
Beyond Osimhen, Onyeka shed light on his personal development and the renewed spirit under manager Eric Chelle. The Malian coach, who took charge in January, is credited with revitalizing the team’s tactics and fostering a positive, familial environment. However, Chelle faces significant defensive challenges with the retirement of captain William Troost-Ekong and a knee injury ruling out promising center-back Benjamin Frederick, whom Onyeka described as an “outstanding” defensive reader of the game.
Personally, Onyeka discussed adopting mindfulness techniques during a loan spell at Augsburg to enhance his mental preparation. Despite a goal drought in Germany, he emerged as a crucial scorer for Nigeria, netting vital late goals in the World Cup qualifiers. While acknowledging the immense pressure from Nigeria’s passionate fanbase, Onyeka channeled the World Cup disappointment into motivation, stating the clear objective for Afcon 2025 is to “win it and bring it back home.”