Super Eagles should not depend only on Osimhen for goals, ex-player warns

By Tosin Omojola

Former Nigerian international Etim Esin has cautioned the Super Eagles against relying excessively on Victor Osimhen’s goal-scoring prowess ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

While Osimhen remains the team’s standout performer, Esin believes the overdependence on the Napoli star could undermine Nigeria’s quest for continental glory.

In an interview with Complete Sports, Esin expressed concerns about the team’s heavy reliance on Osimhen, warning: “In any tournament, you must depend on your strikers to deliver. However, if we keep relying solely on Osimhen, it will get us nowhere.

“What happens if he gets injured? Does that mean we won’t score? It’s very worrying. A striker playing the number nine role must score consistently for his country—that’s the standard worldwide. You can’t play four games for your country without scoring a goal; it doesn’t make sense.”

Osimhen has been a beacon of consistency for the Super Eagles, with 23 goals in 39 appearances—a record that far outshines his striking counterparts.

Esin also criticized the inability of other forwards to step up, stating: “Boniface, for instance, has been given numerous opportunities, but he still can’t score for Nigeria. This is becoming a major concern.

“Does it mean Eguavoen cannot rely on any other striker? Or are we saying that if Osimhen doesn’t score, then Nigeria won’t score?”

Players like Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface, Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi, and Southampton’s Paul Onuachu have struggled to deliver for the national team.

The former Super Eagles star emphasized the urgent need for reliable alternatives and urged the team’s management to address this issue before the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.