Eagles Still Have Work to Do – Osimhen

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has issued a stern warning to his teammates, insisting they cannot let their guard down at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Despite moving toward the knockout phase, the striker emphasised that the squad remains a work in progress and must maintain high intensity to achieve their goals.

Nigeria, three-time AFCON champions, finished top of Group C with maximum points and will face Mozambique in the round of 16.

Osimhen, who featured in all three group matches and captained the side in the 3-1 victory over Uganda, said the knockout phase would demand even greater intensity.

Speaking after the game, the Galatasaray forward noted that the round of 16 would be more challenging than the group stage, stressing that the team was prepared to give everything regardless of the opponent.

“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. It will mean a lot, not just to me, but to the whole team and to Nigeria.”

Osimhen also revealed that the team remained focused on the bigger picture, explaining that the players constantly reminded themselves in training that their goal in Morocco was to lift the trophy. 

He warned that early success would not distract them, emphasising that Nigeria still had significant work to do and must approach the tournament one match at a time.

“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.

“We don’t get carried away by the hype. We still have a lot of work to do. We are going game by game, not letting each win get us carried away.”

Despite head coach Eric Chelle rotating his squad against Uganda, Osimhen played 87 minutes, even while carrying a yellow card that could have ruled him out of the last-16 clash with another booking.

The striker said he fully trusted the coach’s decisions and was ready to play whenever called upon, adding that personal concerns such as yellow cards were secondary to the team’s needs.

“I can’t question the coach’s tactics. If he wants me to play, I’m there. If he puts me on the bench and lets others play, I’m okay with that, too,” he said.

Meanwhile, Amas Obasogie, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Salim Fago, and Cyriel Dessers remain the only players in Nigeria’s 28-man squad yet to feature at AFCON 2025.

Chelle confirmed that Dessers is nursing a thigh injury, while Ryan Alebiosu has been ruled out of the tournament due to a deep leg cut.