Victor Osimhen celebrates after scoring for Nigeria at AFCON 2025
Former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has thrown his weight behind Victor Osimhen’s quest for individual and collective success at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, urging the Galatasaray forward to focus on what he does best — scoring goals.
Speaking during his halftime analysis on SuperSport, Ighalo shared his thoughts on Osimhen’s role in the Nigerian team and why the striker should prioritise staying close to goal as the tournament enters its decisive stages.
Ighalo, who won the AFCON Golden Boot himself in 2019, spoke from experience as he assessed Osimhen’s performance and overall impact on Nigeria’s attack.
“I want him to score goals and be up there as a striker. I want him to win the Golden Boot,” Ighalo said on SuperSport.
The former Manchester United and Watford forward stressed that while Osimhen’s work rate and pressing are admirable, his greatest value to the Super Eagles comes from being in goal-scoring positions rather than dropping too deep.
Osimhen’s confidence will be boosted by his recent performances, having scored twice in Nigeria’s emphatic 4–0 win over Mozambique in the AFCON Round of 16.
Those goals not only helped the Super Eagles book their place in the quarter-finals but also strengthened Osimhen’s push in the Golden Boot race, while edging him closer to Rashidi Yekini’s long-standing all-time scoring record for Nigeria.
With Nigeria now firmly in the business end of the tournament, Osimhen has both the platform and support to add more goals to his tally.
Ighalo’s backing carries extra weight given his own AFCON pedigree. His Golden Boot-winning run in 2019 was built on discipline, positioning, and a ruthless focus on finishing — qualities he now wants Osimhen to fully embrace.
As Nigeria chase continental glory, Osimhen’s goals could be the difference between another deep run and lifting the trophy.
With momentum building and belief growing within the squad, the message from a former Golden Boot winner is clear:
stay sharp, stay central, and let the goals do the talking.
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